EP4108255A1 - Genetically-modified cells comprising a modified human t cell receptor alpha constant region gene - Google Patents

Genetically-modified cells comprising a modified human t cell receptor alpha constant region gene Download PDF

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EP4108255A1
EP4108255A1 EP22163286.2A EP22163286A EP4108255A1 EP 4108255 A1 EP4108255 A1 EP 4108255A1 EP 22163286 A EP22163286 A EP 22163286A EP 4108255 A1 EP4108255 A1 EP 4108255A1
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trc
cells
seq
cell
sequence
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
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Derek Jantz
James Jefferson Smith
Michael G. Nicholson
Daniel T. Macleod
Jeyaraj ANTONY
Victor Bartsevich
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Precision Biosciences Inc
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Precision Biosciences Inc
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Application filed by Precision Biosciences Inc filed Critical Precision Biosciences Inc
Publication of EP4108255A1 publication Critical patent/EP4108255A1/en
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Definitions

  • the invention relates to the fields of oncology, cancer immunotherapy, molecular biology and recombinant nucleic acid technology.
  • the invention relates to a genetically-modified cell comprising in its genome a modified human T cell receptor alpha constant region gene, wherein the cell has reduced cell-surface expression of the endogenous T cell receptor.
  • the invention further relates to methods for producing such a genetically-modified cell, and to methods of using such a cell for treating a disease, including cancer, in a subj ect.
  • T cell adoptive immunotherapy is a promising approach for cancer treatment.
  • This strategy utilizes isolated human T cells that have been genetically-modified to enhance their specificity for a specific tumor associated antigen. Genetic modification may involve the expression of a chimeric antigen receptor or an exogenous T cell receptor to graft antigen specificity onto the T cell. By contrast to exogenous T cell receptors, chimeric antigen receptors derive their specificity from the variable domains of a monoclonal antibody.
  • T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors induce tumor immunoreactivity in a major histocompatibility complex non-restricted manner.
  • T cell adoptive immunotherapy has been utilized as a clinical therapy for a number of cancers, including B cell malignancies (e.g., acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia), multiple myeloma, neuroblastoma, glioblastoma, advanced gliomas, ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, melanoma, and pancreatic cancer.
  • ALL acute lymphoblastic leukemia
  • NHL B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  • chronic lymphocytic leukemia chronic lymphocytic leukemia
  • CAR T cells expressing an endogenous T cell receptor may recognize major and minor histocompatibility antigens following administration to an allogeneic patient, which can lead to the development of graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD).
  • GVHD graft-versus-host-disease
  • clinical trials have largely focused on the use of autologous CAR T cells, wherein a patient's T cells are isolated, genetically-modified to incorporate a chimeric antigen receptor, and then re-infused into the same patient.
  • An autologous approach provides immune tolerance to the administered CAR T cells; however, this approach is constrained by both the time and expense necessary to produce patient-specific CAR T cells after a patient's cancer has been diagnosed.
  • Genome DNA can be performed using site-specific, rarecutting endonucleases that are engineered to recognize DNA sequences in the locus of interest.
  • Methods for producing engineered, site-specific endonucleases are known in the art.
  • ZFNs zinc-finger nucleases
  • ZFNs are chimeric proteins comprising a zinc finger DNA-binding domain fused to the nuclease domain of the FokI restriction enzyme.
  • the zinc finger domain can be redesigned through rational or experimental means to produce a protein that binds to a pre-determined DNA sequence ⁇ 18 basepairs in length.
  • TAL-effector nucleases can be generated to cleave specific sites in genomic DNA.
  • a TALEN comprises an engineered, site-specific DNA-binding domain fused to the FokI nuclease domain (reviewed in Mak et al. (2013), Curr Opin Struct Biol. 23:93-9 ).
  • the DNA binding domain comprises a tandem array of TAL-effector domains, each of which specifically recognizes a single DNA basepair.
  • ZFNs and TALENs have for the practice of the current invention is that they are heterodimeric, so that the production of a single functional nuclease in a cell requires co-expression of two protein monomers.
  • Compact TALENs have an alternative endonuclease architecture that avoids the need for dimerization ( Beurdeley et al. (2013), Nat Commun. 4:1762 ).
  • a Compact TALEN comprises an engineered, site-specific TAL-effector DNA-binding domain fused to the nuclease domain from the I-TevI homing endonuclease. Unlike FokI, I-TevI does not need to dimerize to produce a double-strand DNA break so a Compact TALEN is functional as a monomer.
  • a CRISPR endonuclease comprises two components: (1) a caspase effector nuclease, typically microbial Cas9; and (2) a short "guide RNA" comprising a ⁇ 20 nucleotide targeting sequence that directs the nuclease to a location of interest in the genome.
  • CRISPR/Cas9 nucleases are suitable for the present invention.
  • the primary drawback of the CRISPR/Cas9 system is its reported high frequency of off-target DNA breaks, which could limit the utility of the system for treating human patients ( Fu et al. (2013), Nat Biotechnol. 31:822-6 ).
  • Homing endonucleases are a group of naturally-occurring nucleases that recognize 15-40 base-pair cleavage sites commonly found in the genomes of plants and fungi. They are frequently associated with parasitic DNA elements, such as group 1 self-splicing introns and inteins. They naturally promote homologous recombination or gene insertion at specific locations in the host genome by producing a double-stranded break in the chromosome, which recruits the cellular DNA-repair machinery ( Stoddard (2006), Q. Rev. Biophys. 38: 49-95 ).
  • LAGLIDADG Homing endonucleases are commonly grouped into four families: the LAGLIDADG (SEQ ID NO:7) family, the GIY-YIG family, the His-Cys box family and the HNH family. These families are characterized by structural motifs, which affect catalytic activity and recognition sequence. For instance, members of the LAGLIDADG (SEQ ID NO:7) family are characterized by having either one or two copies of the conserved LAGLIDADG (SEQ ID NO:7) motif (see Chevalier et al. (2001), Nucleic Acids Res. 29(18): 3757-3774 ).
  • LAGLIDADG SEQ ID NO:7 homing endonucleases with a single copy of the LAGLIDADG (SEQ ID NO:7) motif form homodimers, whereas members with two copies of the LAGLIDADG (SEQ ID NO:7) motif are found as monomers.
  • I-CreI (SEQ ID NO: 6) is a member of the LAGLIDADG (SEQ ID NO:7) family of homing endonucleases that recognizes and cuts a 22 basepair recognition sequence in the chloroplast chromosome of the algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Genetic selection techniques have been used to modify the wild-type I-CreI cleavage site preference ( Sussman et al. (2004), J. Mol. Biol. 342: 31-41 ; Chames et al. (2005), Nucleic Acids Res. 33: e178 ; Seligman et al. (2002), Nucleic Acids Res. 30: 3870-9 , Arnould et al. (2006), J.
  • I-CreI and its engineered derivatives are normally dimeric but can be fused into a single polypeptide using a short peptide linker that joins the C-terminus of a first subunit to the N-terminus of a second subunit ( Li et al. (2009), Nucleic Acids Res. 37:1650-62 ; Grizot et al. (2009), Nucleic Acids Res. 37:5405-19 ).
  • a functional "single-chain" meganuclease can be expressed from a single transcript.
  • the present invention improves upon the teachings of the prior art.
  • the present inventors are the first to teach genetically-modified cells that comprise an exogenous polynucleotide sequence (e.g .,, a chimeric antigen receptor or exogenous TCR coding sequence) inserted into the human TCR alpha constant region gene, which simultaneously disrupts expression of the endogenous T cell receptor at the cell surface.
  • an exogenous polynucleotide sequence e.g ., a chimeric antigen receptor or exogenous TCR coding sequence
  • the prior art does not teach the meganucleases or the recognition sequences described herein, or their use for producing such genetically-modified cells.
  • the present invention provides a genetically-modified cell comprising in its genome a modified T cell receptor (TCR) alpha constant region gene.
  • TCR modified T cell receptor
  • Such a cell is a genetically-modified human T cell, or a genetically-modified cell derived from a human T cell. Further, such a cell has reduced cell-surface expression of the endogenous TCR when compared to an unmodified control cell.
  • the present invention also provides a method for producing the genetically-modified cell.
  • the present invention further provides a method of immunotherapy for treating cancer by administering the genetically-modified cell.
  • the invention provides a genetically-modified cell comprising in its genome a modified human TCR alpha constant region gene, wherein the modified human TCR alpha constant region gene comprises from 5' to 3': (a) a 5' region of the human TCR alpha constant region gene; (b) an exogenous polynucleotide; and (c) a 3' region of the human TCR alpha constant region gene.
  • the genetically-modified cell is a genetically-modified human T cell or a genetically-modified cell derived from a human T cell. Further, the genetically-modified cell has reduced cell-surface expression of the endogenous TCR when compared to an unmodified control cell.
  • the exogenous polynucleotide comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a chimeric antigen receptor, wherein the chimeric antigen receptor comprises an extracellular ligand-binding domain and one or more intracellular signaling domains.
  • the chimeric antigen receptor comprises an extracellular ligand-binding domain having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or up to 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:112, wherein the extracellular ligand-binding domain binds to CD19.
  • the chimeric antigen receptor comprises an intracellular cytoplasmic signaling domain having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or up to 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:113.
  • the chimeric antigen receptor comprises an intracellular co-stimulatory signaling domain having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or up to 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:114.
  • the chimeric antigen receptor further comprises a signal peptide.
  • the signal peptide can have at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or up to 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:115.
  • the chimeric antigen receptor further comprises a hinge domain.
  • the hinge domain has at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or up to 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:116.
  • the chimeric antigen receptor further comprises a transmembrane domain.
  • the transmembrane domain has at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or up to 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:117.
  • the chimeric antigen receptor has at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or up to 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:111.
  • the exogenous polynucleotide comprises a promoter sequence that drives expression of the exogenous polynucleotide.
  • the promoter sequence has at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or up to 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:118.
  • the nucleic acid sequence of the exogenous polynucleotide has at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or up to 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:119.
  • the exogenous polynucleotide is inserted into the TCR gene at a position within a recognition sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:3.
  • the modified human TCR alpha constant region gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or up to 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:120.
  • the exogenous polynucleotide is inserted into the TCR alpha constant region gene at a position within a recognition sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:4.
  • the modified human TCR alpha constant region gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or up to 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:121.
  • the exogenous polynucleotide is inserted into the TCR alpha constant region gene at a position within a recognition sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:5.
  • the modified human TCR alpha constant region gene comprises a nucleic acid sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or up to 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:122.
  • the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising a genetically-modified cell, as described herein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the invention provides a genetically-modified cell, as described herein, for use as a medicament.
  • the invention further provides the use of a genetically-modified cell, as described herein, in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a disease in a subject in need thereof.
  • the medicament is useful in the treatment of cancer.
  • the treatment of cancer is immunotherapy.
  • the invention provides a method for producing a genetically-modified cell comprising a modified human TCR alpha constant region gene, the method comprising: (a) introducing into a cell: (i) a first nucleic acid sequence encoding an engineered nuclease; or (ii) an engineered nuclease protein; wherein the engineered nuclease produces a cleavage site at a recognition sequence within the human TCR alpha constant region gene; and (b) introducing into the cell a second nucleic acid sequence comprising an exogenous polynucleotide.
  • the cell is a human T cell or is derived from a human T cell.
  • sequence of the exogenous polynucleotide is inserted into the human TCR alpha constant region gene at the cleavage site. Further, the genetically-modified cell has reduced cell-surface expression of the endogenous TCR when compared to an unmodified control cell.
  • the first nucleic acid sequence or the engineered nuclease protein can be introduced into the cell prior to introducing the second nucleic acid, or subsequent to introducing the second nucleic acid.
  • the second nucleic acid sequence comprises from 5' to 3': (a) a 5' homology arm that is homologous to the 5' upstream sequence flanking the cleavage site; (b) the exogenous polynucleotide; and (c) a 3' homology arm that is homologous to the 3' downstream sequence flanking the cleavage site.
  • the sequence of the exogenous polynucleotide is inserted into the human TCR alpha constant region gene at the cleavage site by homologous recombination.
  • the second nucleic acid lacks substantial homology to the cleavage site, and the sequence of the exogenous polynucleotide is inserted into the human TCR alpha constant region gene by non-homologous end-joining.
  • the exogenous polynucleotide comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a chimeric antigen receptor.
  • the exogenous polynucleotide comprises a first promoter sequence that drives expression of the exogenous polynucleotide.
  • the first nucleic acid encoding the engineered nuclease is introduced into the cell using an mRNA.
  • the mRNA can be a polycistronic mRNA comprising a coding sequence for at least one engineered nuclease described herein and a coding sequence for at least one additional protein (e.g., a second nuclease).
  • a polycistronic mRNA can encode two or more engineered nucleases described herein that target different recognition sequences within the same gene (e.g., the T cell receptor alpha constant region gene).
  • a polycistronic mRNA can encode an engineered nuclease described herein and a second nuclease that recognizes and cleaves a different recognition sequence within the same gene (e.g., the T cell receptor alpha constant region gene) or, alternatively, recognizes and cleaves a different recognition sequence within another gene of interest in the genome.
  • genetically-modified cells produced using such polycistronic mRNA can have multiple genes knocked out simultaneously.
  • a polycistronic mRNA can encode at least one engineered nuclease described herein and one additional protein that is beneficial to the cell, improves efficiency of insertion of an exogenous sequence of interest into a cleavage site, and/or is beneficial in the treatment of a disease.
  • At least the second nucleic acid sequence is introduced into the cell by contacting the cell with a viral vector comprising the second nucleic acid sequence.
  • both the first nucleic acid sequence and the second nucleic acid sequence are introduced by contacting the cell with a single viral vector comprising both the first nucleic acid sequence and the second nucleic acid sequence.
  • the cell can be contacted with a first viral vector comprising the first nucleic acid sequence and a second viral vector comprising the second nucleic acid sequence.
  • the second nucleic acid can further comprise a second promoter sequence positioned 5' upstream of the 5' homology arm or, alternatively, positioned 3' downstream of the 3' homology arm.
  • the promoter may be inverted.
  • At least the second nucleic acid sequence is introduced into the cell by contacting the cell with a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector comprising the second nucleic acid sequence.
  • AAV adeno-associated virus
  • both the first nucleic acid sequence and the second nucleic acid sequence are introduced by contacting the cell with a single recombinant AAV comprising both the first nucleic acid sequence and the second nucleic acid sequence.
  • the cell can be contacted with a first recombinant AAV comprising the first nucleic acid sequence and a second recombinant AAV comprising the second nucleic acid sequence.
  • the second nucleic acid sequence is introduced by a recombinant AAV vector
  • the second nucleic acid can further comprise a second promoter sequence positioned 5' upstream of the 5' homology arm or, alternatively, positioned 3' downstream of the 3' homology arm.
  • the promoter may be inverted.
  • the recombinant AAV vector is a self-complementary AAV vector.
  • the recombinant AAV vector can have any serotype.
  • the recombinant AAV vector has a serotype of AAV2.
  • the recombinant AAV vector has a serotype of AAV6.
  • At least the second nucleic acid sequence is introduced into the cell using a single-stranded DNA template.
  • the first nucleic acid sequence encoding a engineered nuclease described herein is introduced into the cell by an mRNA
  • the second nucleic acid sequence comprising an exogenous polynucleotide is introduced into the cell using a viral vector, preferably a recombinant AAV vector, wherein the cell is a human T cell, and wherein the sequence of interest encodes a chimeric antigen receptor.
  • the method produces a genetically-modified T cell comprising a chimeric antigen receptor and reduced cell-surface expression of the endogenous T cell receptor when compared to a control cell.
  • the engineered nuclease is a recombinant meganuclease, a recombinant zinc-finger nuclease (ZFN), a recombinant transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN), a CRISPR/Cas nuclease, or a megaTAL nuclease.
  • the engineered nuclease is a recombinant meganuclease.
  • the recombinant meganuclease recognizes and cleaves a recognition sequence within residues 93-208 of the human T cell receptor alpha constant region (SEQ ID NO: 1).
  • a recombinant meganuclease comprises a first subunit and a second subunit, wherein the first subunit binds to a first recognition half-site of the recognition sequence and comprises a first hypervariable (HVR1) region, and wherein the second subunit binds to a second recognition half-site of the recognition sequence and comprises a second hypervariable (HVR2) region.
  • the recognition sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:3 (i.e., the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence).
  • the first meganuclease subunit comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity to residues 198-344 of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-18 or residues 7-153 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19-27
  • the second meganuclease subunit comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity to residues 7-153 of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-18 or residues 198-344 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19-27.
  • the HVR1 region comprises Y at a position corresponding to: (a) position 215 of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-18; or (b) position 24 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19-27.
  • the HVR1 region comprises G at a position corresponding to: (a) position 233 of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-18; or (b) position 42 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19-27.
  • the HVR1 region comprises one or more of Y and G at positions corresponding to (a) positions 215 and 233, respectively, of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-18; or (b) positions 24 and 42, respectively, of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19-27.
  • the HVR2 region comprises T at a position corresponding to: (a) position 26 of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-18; or (b) position 217 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19-27.
  • the HVR2 region comprises F or Y at a position corresponding to: (a) position 28 of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-18; or (b) position 219 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19-27.
  • the HVR2 region comprises F at a position corresponding to: (a) position 38 of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-18; or (b) position 229 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19-27.
  • the HVR2 region comprises S at a position corresponding to: (a) position 44 of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-18; or (b) position 235 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19-27.
  • the HVR2 region comprises F or Y at a position corresponding to: (a) position 46 of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-18; or (b) position 237 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19-27.
  • the HVR2 region comprises one or more of T, F or Y, F, S, and F or Y, and R at positions corresponding to: (a) positions 26, 28, 38, 44, and 46, respectively, of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-18; or (b) positions 217, 219, 229, 235, and 237, respectively, of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19-27.
  • the HVR1 region comprises residues 215-270 of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-18 or residues 24-79 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19-27.
  • the HVR2 region comprises residues 24-79 of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-18 or residues 215-270 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19-27.
  • the first meganuclease subunit comprises residues 198-344 of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-18 or residues 7-153 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19-27.
  • the second meganuclease subunit comprises residues 7-153 of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-18 or residues 198-344 of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19-27.
  • the recombinant meganuclease is a single-chain meganuclease comprising a linker, wherein the linker covalently joins the first subunit and the second subunit.
  • the recombinant meganuclease comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-27.
  • the recognition sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:4 (i.e., the TRC 3-4 recognition sequence).
  • the first meganuclease subunit comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity to residues 7-153 of SEQ ID NO:28 or 29, and the second meganuclease subunit comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity to residues 198-344 of SEQ ID NO:28 or 29.
  • the HVR1 region comprises Y at a position corresponding to position 24 of SEQ ID NO:28 or 29. In another such embodiment, the HVR1 region comprises T at a position corresponding to position 26 of SEQ ID NO:30 or 31. In another such embodiment, the HVR1 region comprises Y at a position corresponding to position 46 of SEQ ID NO:28 or 29. In another such embodiment, the HVR1 region comprises one or more of Y, T, and Y at positions corresponding to positions 24, 26, and 46, respectively, of SEQ ID NO:28 or 29.
  • the HVR2 region comprises H at a position corresponding to position 215 of SEQ ID NO:28 or 29.
  • the HVR2 region comprises T at a position corresponding to position 266 of SEQ ID NO:28 or 29.
  • the HVR2 region comprises C at a position corresponding to position 268 of SEQ ID NO:28 or 29.
  • the HVR2 region comprises one or more of H, T, and C at positions corresponding to positions 215, 266, and 268 of SEQ ID NOs:28 or 29.
  • the HVR1 region comprises residues 24-79 of SEQ ID NO:28 or 29.
  • the HVR2 region comprises residues 215-270 of SEQ ID NO:28 or 29.
  • the first meganuclease subunit comprises residues 7-153 of SEQ ID NO:28 or 29.
  • the second meganuclease subunit comprises residues 198-344 of SEQ ID NO:28 or 29.
  • the recombinant meganuclease is a single-chain meganuclease comprising a linker, wherein the linker covalently joins the first subunit and the second subunit.
  • the recombinant meganuclease comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:28 or 29.
  • the recognition sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:5 (i.e., the TRC 7-8 recognition sequence).
  • the first meganuclease subunit comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity to residues 7-153 of SEQ ID NO:30 or residues 198-344 of SEQ ID NO:31 or 32
  • the second meganuclease subunit comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% sequence identity to residues 198-344 of SEQ ID NO:30 or residues 7-153 of SEQ ID NO:31 or 32.
  • the HVR1 region comprises Y at a position corresponding to: (a) position 24 of SEQ ID NO:30; or (b) position 215 of SEQ ID NO:31 or 32.
  • the HVR2 region comprises Y or W at a position corresponding to: (a) position 215 of SEQ ID NO:30; or (b) position 24 of SEQ ID NO:31 or 32.
  • the HVR2 region comprises M, L, or W at a position corresponding to: (a) position 231 of SEQ ID NO:30; or (b) position 40 of SEQ ID NO:31 or 32.
  • the HVR2 region comprises Y at a position corresponding to: (a) position 237 of SEQ ID NO:30; or (b) position 46 of SEQ ID NO:31 or 32.
  • the HVR2 region comprises one or more of Y or W, M, L, or W, and Y at positions corresponding to: (a) positions 215, 231, and 237, respectively, of SEQ ID NO:30; or (b) positions 24, 40, and 46, respectively, of SEQ ID NO:31 or 32.
  • the HVR1 region comprises residues 24-79 of SEQ ID NO:30 or residues 215-270 of SEQ ID NO:31 or 32.
  • the HVR2 region comprises residues 215-270 of SEQ ID NO:30 or residues 24-79 of SEQ ID NO:31 or 32.
  • the first meganuclease subunit comprises residues 7-153 of SEQ ID NO:30 or residues 198-344 of SEQ ID NO:31 or 32.
  • the second meganuclease subunit comprises residues 198-344 of SEQ ID NO:30 or residues 7-153 of SEQ ID NO:31 or 32.
  • the recombinant meganuclease is a single-chain meganuclease comprising a linker, wherein the linker covalently joins the first subunit and the second subunit.
  • the recombinant meganuclease comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:30-32.
  • the invention provides a method of immunotherapy for treating cancer in a subject in need thereof.
  • the method comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a genetically-modified cell, as described herein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the method comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a genetically-modified cell produced according to the methods described herein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the cancer to be treated is selected from the group consisting of a cancer of B-cell origin, breast cancer, gastric cancer, neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, lung cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, colon cancer, renal cell carcinoma, ovarian cancer, rhabdomyo sarcoma, leukemia, and Hodgkin's lymphoma.
  • the cancer of B-cell origin is selected from the group consisting of B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia, B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
  • the CAR comprises an extracellular antigen-binding domain.
  • the extracellular ligand-binding domain or moiety can be in the form of a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) derived from a monoclonal antibody, which provides specificity for a particular epitope or antigen (e.g., an epitope or antigen preferentially present on the surface of a cell, such as a cancer cell or other disease-causing cell or particle).
  • the scFv can be attached via a linker sequence.
  • the extracellular ligand-binding domain can be specific for any antigen or epitope of interest.
  • the scFv can be humanized.
  • the extracellular domain of a chimeric antigen receptor can also comprise an autoantigen (see, Payne et al. (2016), Science 353(6295): 179-184 ), which can be recognized by autoantigen-specific B cell receptors on B lymphocytes, thus directing T cells to specifically target and kill autoreactive B lymphocytes in antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases.
  • CARs can be referred to as chimeric autoantibody receptors (CAARs), and their use is encompassed by the invention.
  • a can mean one or more than one.
  • a cell can mean a single cell or a multiplicity of cells.
  • the term "meganuclease” refers to an endonuclease that binds double-stranded DNA at a recognition sequence that is greater than 12 base pairs.
  • the recognition sequence for a meganuclease of the invention is 22 base pairs.
  • a meganuclease can be an endonuclease that is derived from I-CreI, and can refer to an engineered variant of I-CreI that has been modified relative to natural I-CreI with respect to, for example, DNA-binding specificity, DNA cleavage activity, DNA-binding affinity, or dimerization properties.
  • a meganuclease as used herein binds to double-stranded DNA as a heterodimer or as a "single-chain meganuclease" in which a pair of DNA-binding domains are joined into a single polypeptide using a peptide linker.
  • homing endonuclease is synonymous with the term “meganuclease.”
  • Meganucleases of the invention are substantially non-toxic when expressed in cells, particularly in human T cells, such that cells can be transfected and maintained at 37°C without observing deleterious effects on cell viability or significant reductions in meganuclease cleavage activity when measured using the methods described herein.
  • single-chain meganuclease refers to a polypeptide comprising a pair of nuclease subunits joined by a linker.
  • a single-chain meganuclease has the organization: N-terminal subunit - Linker - C-terminal subunit.
  • the two meganuclease subunits will generally be non-identical in amino acid sequence and will recognize non-identical DNA sequences.
  • single-chain meganucleases typically cleave pseudopalindromic or non-palindromic recognition sequences.
  • a single-chain meganuclease may be referred to as a "single-chain heterodimer” or “single-chain heterodimeric meganuclease” although it is not, in fact, dimeric.
  • the term “meganuclease” can refer to a dimeric or single-chain meganuclease.
  • linker refers to an exogenous peptide sequence used to join two meganuclease subunits into a single polypeptide.
  • a linker may have a sequence that is found in natural proteins, or may be an artificial sequence that is not found in any natural protein.
  • a linker may be flexible and lacking in secondary structure or may have a propensity to form a specific three-dimensional structure under physiological conditions.
  • a linker can include, without limitation, those encompassed by U.S. Patent No. 8,445,251 .
  • a linker may have an amino acid sequence comprising residues 154-195 of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-32.
  • TALEN refers to an endonuclease comprising a DNA-binding domain comprising 16-22 TAL domain repeats fused to any portion of the FokI nuclease domain.
  • Compact TALEN refers to an endonuclease comprising a DNA-binding domain with 16-22 TAL domain repeats fused in any orientation to any catalytically active portion of nuclease domain of the I-TevI homing endonuclease.
  • CRISPR refers to a caspase-based endonuclease comprising a caspase, such as Cas9, and a guide RNA that directs DNA cleavage of the caspase by hybridizing to a recognition site in the genomic DNA.
  • megaTAL refers to a single-chain nuclease comprising a transcription activator-like effector (TALE) DNA binding domain with an engineered, sequence-specific homing endonuclease.
  • TALE transcription activator-like effector
  • the term “recombinant” means having an altered amino acid sequence as a result of the application of genetic engineering techniques to nucleic acids that encode the protein, and cells or organisms that express the protein.
  • nucleic acid means having an altered nucleic acid sequence as a result of the application of genetic engineering techniques.
  • Genetic engineering techniques include, but are not limited to, PCR and DNA cloning technologies; transfection, transformation and other gene transfer technologies; homologous recombination; site-directed mutagenesis; and gene fusion.
  • a protein having an amino acid sequence identical to a naturally-occurring protein, but produced by cloning and expression in a heterologous host is not considered recombinant.
  • wild-type refers to the most common naturally occurring allele (i.e., polynucleotide sequence) in the allele population of the same type of gene, wherein a polypeptide encoded by the wild-type allele has its original functions.
  • wild-type also refers a polypeptide encoded by a wild-type allele. Wild-type alleles (i.e., polynucleotides) and polypeptides are distinguishable from mutant or variant alleles and polypeptides, which comprise one or more mutations and/or substitutions relative to the wild-type sequence(s).
  • a mutant or variant allele or polypeptide can, in some instances, confer an altered phenotype.
  • Wild-type nucleases are distinguishable from recombinant or nonnaturally-occurring nucleases.
  • modification means any insertion, deletion or substitution of an amino acid residue in the recombinant sequence relative to a reference sequence (e.g., a wild-type or a native sequence).
  • the term "recognition sequence” refers to a DNA sequence that is bound and cleaved by an endonuclease.
  • a recognition sequence comprises a pair of inverted, 9 basepair "half sites" that are separated by four basepairs.
  • the N-terminal domain of the protein contacts a first half-site and the C-terminal domain of the protein contacts a second half-site. Cleavage by a meganuclease produces four basepair 3' "overhangs".
  • “Overhangs”, or “sticky ends” are short, single-stranded DNA segments that can be produced by endonuclease cleavage of a double-stranded DNA sequence.
  • the overhang comprises bases 10-13 of the 22 basepair recognition sequence.
  • the recognition sequence comprises a first CNNNGN sequence that is recognized by the I-TevI domain, followed by a nonspecific spacer 4-16 basepairs in length, followed by a second sequence 16-22 bp in length that is recognized by the TAL-effector domain (this sequence typically has a 5' T base).
  • Cleavage by a Compact TALEN produces two basepair 3' overhangs.
  • the recognition sequence is the sequence, typically 16-24 basepairs, to which the guide RNA binds to direct Cas9 cleavage.
  • Cleavage by a CRISPR produced blunt ends.
  • target site or "target sequence” refers to a region of the chromosomal DNA of a cell comprising a recognition sequence for a nuclease.
  • DNA-binding affinity or "binding affinity” means the tendency of a meganuclease to non-covalently associate with a reference DNA molecule (e.g., a recognition sequence or an arbitrary sequence). Binding affinity is measured by a dissociation constant, K d .
  • K d dissociation constant
  • a nuclease has "altered” binding affinity if the K d of the nuclease for a reference recognition sequence is increased or decreased by a statistically significant percent change relative to a reference nuclease.
  • homologous recombination refers to the natural, cellular process in which a double-stranded DNA-break is repaired using a homologous DNA sequence as the repair template (see, e.g., Cahill et al. (2006), Front. Biosci. 11:1958-1976 ).
  • the homologous DNA sequence may be an endogenous chromosomal sequence or an exogenous nucleic acid that was delivered to the cell.
  • non-homologous end-joining refers to the natural, cellular process in which a double-stranded DNA-break is repaired by the direct joining of two non-homologous DNA segments (see, e.g., Cahill et al. (2006), Front. Biosci. 11:1958-1976 ).
  • DNA repair by non-homologous end-joining is error-prone and frequently results in the untemplated addition or deletion of DNA sequences at the site of repair. In some instances, cleavage at a target recognition sequence results in NHEJ at a target recognition site.
  • Nuclease-induced cleavage of a target site in the coding sequence of a gene followed by DNA repair by NHEJ can introduce mutations into the coding sequence, such as frameshift mutations, that disrupt gene function.
  • engineered nucleases can be used to effectively knock-out a gene in a population of cells.
  • a "chimeric antigen receptor” or “CAR” refers to an engineered receptor that confers or grafts specificity for an antigen onto an immune effector cell (e.g., a human T cell).
  • a chimeric antigen receptor typically comprises an extracellular ligand-binding domain or moiety and an intracellular domain that comprises one or more stimulatory domains that transduce the signals necessary for T cell activation.
  • the extracellular ligand-binding domain or moiety can be in the form of single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) derived from a monoclonal antibody, which provide specificity for a particular epitope or antigen (e.g., an epitope or antigen preferentially present on the surface of a cancer cell or other disease-causing cell or particle).
  • the extracellular ligand-binding domain can be specific for any antigen or epitope of interest.
  • the ligand-binding domain is specific for CD19.
  • the extracellular domain of a chimeric antigen receptor can also comprise an autoantigen (see, Payne et al. (2016), Science 353 (6295): 179-184 ), that can be recognized by autoantigen-specific B cell receptors on B lymphocytes, thus directing T cells to specifically target and kill autoreactive B lymphocytes in antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases.
  • CARs can be referred to as chimeric autoantibody receptors (CAARs), and their use is encompassed by the invention.
  • the scFvs can be attached via a linker sequence.
  • the intracellular stimulatory domain can include one or more cytoplasmic signaling domains that transmit an activation signal to the immune effector cell following antigen binding. Such cytoplasmic signaling domains can include, without limitation, CD3-zeta.
  • the intracellular stimulatory domain can also include one or more intracellular co-stimulatory domains that transmit a proliferative and/or cellsurvival signal after ligand binding.
  • Such intracellular co-stimulatory domains can include, without limitation, a CD28 domain, a 4-1BB domain, an OX40 domain, or a combination thereof.
  • a chimeric antigen receptor can further include additional structural elements, including a transmembrane domain that is attached to the extracellular ligand-binding domain via a hinge or spacer sequence.
  • an "exogenous T cell receptor” or “exogenous TCR” refers to a TCR whose sequence is introduced into the genome of an immune effector cell (e.g., a human T cell) that may or may not endogenously express the TCR.
  • an exogenous TCR on an immune effector cell can confer specificity for a specific epitope or antigen (e.g., an epitope or antigen preferentially present on the surface of a cancer cell or other disease-causing cell or particle).
  • exogenous T cell receptors can comprise alpha and beta chains or, alternatively, may comprise gamma and delta chains.
  • Exogenous TCRs useful in the invention may have specificity to any antigen or epitope of interest.
  • the term “reduced expression” refers to any reduction in the expression of the endogenous T cell receptor at the cell surface of a genetically-modified cell when compared to a control cell.
  • the term reduced can also refer to a reduction in the percentage of cells in a population of cells that express an endogenous polypeptide (i.e., an endogenous T cell receptor) at the cell surface when compared to a population of control cells.
  • Such a reduction may be up to 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or up to 100%.
  • the term “reduced” encompasses both a partial knockdown and a complete knockdown of the endogenous T cell receptor.
  • sequence similarity As used herein with respect to both amino acid sequences and nucleic acid sequences, the terms “percent identity,” “sequence identity,” “percentage similarity,” “sequence similarity” and the like refer to a measure of the degree of similarity of two sequences based upon an alignment of the sequences that maximizes similarity between aligned amino acid residues or nucleotides, and that is a function of the number of identical or similar residues or nucleotides, the number of total residues or nucleotides, and the presence and length of gaps in the sequence alignment. A variety of algorithms and computer programs are available for determining sequence similarity using standard parameters.
  • sequence similarity is measured using the BLASTp program for amino acid sequences and the BLASTn program for nucleic acid sequences, both of which are available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/), and are described in, for example, Altschul et al. (1990), J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410 ; Gish and States (1993), Nature Genet. 3:266-272 ; Madden et al. (1996), Meth. Enzymol.266:131-141 ; Altschul et al. (1997), Nucleic Acids Res. 25:33 89-3402 ); Zhang et al. (2000), J. Comput. Biol.
  • the term "corresponding to” is used to indicate that a specified modification in the first protein is a substitution of the same amino acid residue as in the modification in the second protein, and that the amino acid position of the modification in the first proteins corresponds to or aligns with the amino acid position of the modification in the second protein when the two proteins are subjected to standard sequence alignments (e.g., using the BLASTp program).
  • the modification of residue "X” to amino acid "A” in the first protein will correspond to the modification of residue "Y” to amino acid "A” in the second protein if residues X and Y correspond to each other in a sequence alignment, and despite the fact that X and Y may be different numbers.
  • the term "recognition half-site,” “recognition sequence half-site,” or simply “half-site” means a nucleic acid sequence in a double-stranded DNA molecule that is recognized by a monomer of a homodimeric or heterodimeric meganuclease, or by one subunit of a single-chain meganuclease.
  • hypervariable region refers to a localized sequence within a meganuclease monomer or subunit that comprises amino acids with relatively high variability.
  • a hypervariable region can comprise about 50-60 contiguous residues, about 53-57 contiguous residues, or preferably about 56 residues.
  • the residues of a hypervariable region may correspond to positions 24-79 or positions 215-270 of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-32.
  • a hypervariable region can comprise one or more residues that contact DNA bases in a recognition sequence and can be modified to alter base preference of the monomer or subunit.
  • a hypervariable region can also comprise one or more residues that bind to the DNA backbone when the meganuclease associates with a double-stranded DNA recognition sequence. Such residues can be modified to alter the binding affinity of the meganuclease for the DNA backbone and the target recognition sequence.
  • a hypervariable region may comprise between 1-20 residues that exhibit variability and can be modified to influence base preference and/or DNA-binding affinity.
  • a hypervariable region comprises between about 15-18 residues that exhibit variability and can be modified to influence base preference and/or DNA-binding affinity.
  • variable residues within a hypervariable region correspond to one or more of positions 24, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 66, 68, 70, 72, 73, 75, and 77 of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-32. In other embodiments, variable residues within a hypervariable region correspond to one or more of positions 215, 217, 219, 221, 223, 224, 229, 231, 233, 235, 237, 248, 257, 259, 261, 263, 264, 266, and 268 of any one of SEQ ID NOs:8-32.
  • T cell receptor alpha constant region gene and “TCR alpha constant region gene” are used interchangeably and refer to the human gene identified by NCBI Gen ID NO. 28755 (SEQ ID NO:1).
  • recombinant DNA construct refers to any one of the following sequences, including, without limitation, regulatory and coding sequences that are not found together in nature.
  • a recombinant DNA construct may comprise regulatory sequences and coding sequences that are derived from different sources, or regulatory sequences and coding sequences derived from the same source and arranged in a manner different than that found in nature. Such a construct may be used by itself or may be used in conjunction with a vector.
  • a "vector” or “recombinant DNA vector” may be a construct that includes a replication system and sequences that are capable of transcription and translation of a polypeptide-encoding sequence in a given host cell. If a vector is used then the choice of vector is dependent upon the method that will be used to transform host cells as is well known to those skilled in the art.
  • Vectors can include, without limitation, plasmid vectors and recombinant AAV vectors, or any other vector known in that art suitable for delivering a gene encoding a meganuclease of the invention to a target cell. The skilled artisan is well aware of the genetic elements that must be present on the vector in order to successfully transform, select and propagate host cells comprising any of the isolated nucleotides or nucleic acid sequences of the invention.
  • a "vector” can also refer to a viral vector.
  • Viral vectors can include, without limitation, retroviral vectors, lentiviral vectors, adenoviral vectors, and adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV).
  • a "polycistronic" mRNA refers to a single messenger RNA that comprises two or more coding sequences (i.e., cistrons) and encodes more than one protein.
  • a polycistronic mRNA can comprise any element known in the art to allow for the translation of two or more genes from the same mRNA molecule including, but not limited to, an IRES element, a T2A element, a P2A element, an E2A element, and an F2A element.
  • a "human T cell” or “T cell” refers to a T cell isolated from a human donor.
  • Human T cells, and cells derived therefrom include isolated T cells that have not been passaged in culture, T cells that have been passaged and maintained under cell culture conditions without immortalization, and T cells that have been immortalized and can be maintained under cell culture conditions indefinitely.
  • control refers to a cell that provides a reference point for measuring changes in genotype or phenotype of a genetically-modified cell.
  • a control cell may comprise, for example: (a) a wild-type cell, i.e., of the same genotype as the starting material for the genetic alteration that resulted in the genetically-modified cell; (b) a cell of the same genotype as the genetically-modified cell but that has been transformed with a null construct (i.e., with a construct that has no known effect on the trait of interest); or, (c) a cell genetically identical to the genetically-modified cell but that is not exposed to conditions or stimuli or further genetic modifications that would induce expression of altered genotype or phenotype.
  • variable As used herein, the recitation of a numerical range for a variable is intended to convey that the invention may be practiced with the variable equal to any of the values within that range. Thus, for a variable that is inherently discrete, the variable can be equal to any integer value within the numerical range, including the end-points of the range. Similarly, for a variable that is inherently continuous, the variable can be equal to any real value within the numerical range, including the end-points of the range.
  • a variable that is described as having values between 0 and 2 can take the values 0, 1 or 2 if the variable is inherently discrete, and can take the values 0.0, 0.1, 0.01, 0.001, or any other real values ⁇ 0 and ⁇ 2 if the variable is inherently continuous.
  • the present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that engineered nucleases can be utilized to recognize and cleave recognition sequences found within the human TCR alpha constant region gene (SEQ ID NO:1),such that NHEJ at the cleavage site disrupts expression of the TCR alpha chain subunit and, ultimately, expression of the T cell receptor at the cell surface.
  • an exogenous polynucleotide sequence is inserted into the TCR alpha constant region gene at the nuclease cleavage site, for example by homologous recombination, such that a sequence of interest is concurrently expressed in the cell.
  • exogenous sequences can encode, for example, a chimeric antigen receptor, an exogenous TCR receptor, or any other polypeptide of interest.
  • the present invention allows for both the knockout of the endogenous T cell receptor and the expression of an exogenous nucleic acid sequence (e.g., a chimeric antigen receptor or exogenous TCR) by targeting a single recognition site with a single engineered nuclease.
  • an exogenous nucleic acid sequence e.g., a chimeric antigen receptor or exogenous TCR
  • the invention provides a simplified method for producing an allogeneic T cell that expresses an antigen-specific CAR and has reduced expression, or complete knockout, of the endogenous TCR.
  • Such cells can exhibit reduced or no induction of graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) when administered to an allogeneic subject.
  • GVHD graft-versus-host-disease
  • NHEJ can produce mutagenesis at the cleavage site, resulting in inactivation of the allele.
  • NHEJ-associated mutagenesis may inactivate an allele via generation of early stop codons, frameshift mutations producing aberrant non-functional proteins, or could trigger mechanisms such as nonsense-mediated mRNA decay.
  • nucleases to induce mutagenesis via NHEJ can be used to target a specific mutation or a sequence present in a wild-type allele.
  • the use of nucleases to induce a double-strand break in a target locus is known to stimulate homologous recombination, particularly of transgenic DNA sequences flanked by sequences that are homologous to the genomic target.
  • exogenous nucleic acid sequences can be inserted into a target locus.
  • exogenous nucleic acids can encode, for example, a chimeric antigen receptor, an exogenous TCR, or any sequence or polypeptide of interest.
  • nuclease a variety of different types are useful for practicing the invention.
  • the invention can be practiced using recombinant meganucleases.
  • the invention can be practiced using a CRISPR nuclease or CRISPR Nickase. Methods for making CRISPRs and CRISPR Nickases that recognize pre-determined DNA sites are known in the art, for example Ran, et al. (2013) Nat Protoc. 8:2281-308.
  • the invention can be practiced using TALENs or Compact TALENs. Methods for making TALE domains that bind to pre-determined DNA sites are known in the art, for example Reyon et al. (2012) Nat Biotechnol. 30:460-5.
  • the invention can be practiced using megaTALs.
  • the nucleases used to practice the invention are single-chain meganucleases.
  • a single-chain meganuclease comprises an N-terminal subunit and a C-terminal subunit joined by a linker peptide.
  • Each of the two domains recognizes half of the recognition sequence (i.e., a recognition half-site) and the site of DNA cleavage is at the middle of the recognition sequence near the interface of the two subunits.
  • DNA strand breaks are offset by four base pairs such that DNA cleavage by a meganuclease generates a pair of four base pair, 3' single-strand overhangs.
  • recombinant meganucleases of the invention have been engineered to recognize and cleave the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence (SEQ ID NO:3). Such recombinant meganucleases are collectively referred to herein as "TRC 1-2 meganucleases.” Exemplary TRC 1-2 meganucleases are provided in SEQ ID NOs:8-27.
  • recombinant meganucleases of the invention have been engineered to recognize and cleave the TRC 3-4 recognition sequence (SEQ ID NO:4). Such recombinant meganucleases are collectively referred to herein as "TRC 3-4 meganucleases.” Exemplary TRC 3-4 meganucleases are provided in SEQ ID NOs:28 and 29.
  • recombinant meganucleases of the invention have been engineered to recognize and cleave the TRC 7-8 recognition sequence (SEQ ID NO:5). Such recombinant meganucleases are collectively referred to herein as "TRC 7-8 meganucleases.” Exemplary TRC 7-8 meganucleases are provided in SEQ ID NOs:30-32.
  • Recombinant meganucleases of the invention comprise a first subunit, comprising a first hypervariable (HVR1) region, and a second subunit, comprising a second hypervariable (HVR2) region. Further, the first subunit binds to a first recognition half-site in the recognition sequence (e.g., the TRC1, TRC3, or TRC7 half-site), and the second subunit binds to a second recognition half-site in the recognition sequence (e.g., the TRC2 , TRC4, or TRC8 half-site).
  • a first recognition half-site in the recognition sequence e.g., the TRC1, TRC3, or TRC7 half-site
  • the second subunit binds to a second recognition half-site in the recognition sequence (e.g., the TRC2 , TRC4, or TRC8 half-site).
  • the first and second subunits can be oriented such that the first subunit, which comprises the HVR1 region and binds the first half-site, is positioned as the N-terminal subunit, and the second subunit, which comprises the HVR2 region and binds the second half-site, is positioned as the C-terminal subunit.
  • the first and second subunits can be oriented such that the first subunit, which comprises the HVR1 region and binds the first half-site, is positioned as the C-terminal subunit, and the second subunit, which comprises the HVR2 region and binds the second half-site, is positioned as the N-terminal subunit.
  • Exemplary TRC 1-2 meganucleases of the invention are provided in Table 1.
  • Exemplary TRC 3-4 meganucleases of the invention are provided in Table 2.
  • Exemplary TRC 7-8 meganucleases of the invention are provided in Table 3. Table 1.
  • Exemplary recombinant meganucleases engineered to recognize and cleave the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence (SEQ ID NO:3) Meganuclease AA SEQ ID TRC1 Subunit Residues TRC1 Subunit SEQ ID *TRC1 Subunit % TRC2 Subunit Residues TRC2 Subunit SEQ ID *TRC2 Subunit % TRC 1-2x.87 EE 8 198-344 33 100 7-153 58 100 TRC 1-2x.87 QE 9 198-344 34 100 7-153 59 99.3 TRC 1-2x.87 EQ 10 198-344 35 99.3 7-153 60 100 TRC 1-2x.87 11 198-344 36 99.3 7-153 61 99.3 TRC 1-2x.6 12 198-344 37 99.3 7-153 62 94.6 TRC 1-2x.20 13 198-344 38 99.3 7-153 63 91.2 TRC 1-2x.55 14 198-344 39 95.
  • Exemplary recombinant meganucleases engineered to recognize and cleave the TRC 3-4 recognition sequence (SEQ ID NO:4) Meganuclease AA SEQ ID TRC3 Subunit Residues TRC3 Subunit SEQ ID *TRC3 Subunit % TRC4 Subunit Residues TRC4 Subunit SEQ ID TRC4 Subunit % TRC 3-4x.3 28 7-153 53 100 198-344 78 100 TRC 3-4x.19 29 7-153 54 96.6 198-344 79 96.6 *"TRC3 Subunit %" and "TRC4 Subunit %" represent the amino acid sequence identity between the TRC3-binding and TRC4-binding subunit regions of each meganuclease and the TRC3-binding and TRC4-binding subunit regions, respectively, of the TRC 3-4x.3 meganuclease.
  • the invention provides methods for producing genetically-modified cells using engineered nucleases that recognize and cleave recognition sequences found within the human TCR alpha constant region gene (SEQ ID NO:1). Cleavage at such recognition sequences can allow for NHEJ at the cleavage site and disrupted expression of the human T cell receptor alpha chain subunit, leading to reduced expression and/or function of the T cell receptor at the cell surface. Additionally, cleavage at such recognition sequences can further allow for homologous recombination of exogenous nucleic acid sequences directly into the TCR alpha constant region gene.
  • Engineered nucleases of the invention can be delivered into a cell in the form of protein or, preferably, as a nucleic acid encoding the engineered nuclease.
  • Such nucleic acid can be DNA (e.g., circular or linearized plasmid DNA or PCR products) or RNA.
  • the engineered nuclease coding sequence is delivered in DNA form, it should be operably linked to a promoter to facilitate transcription of the meganuclease gene.
  • Mammalian promoters suitable for the invention include constitutive promoters such as the cytomegalovirus early (CMV) promoter ( Thomsen et al. (1984), Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.
  • CMV cytomegalovirus early
  • mRNA encoding the engineered nuclease is delivered to the cell because this reduces the likelihood that the gene encoding the engineered nuclease will integrate into the genome of the cell.
  • mRNA encoding an engineered nuclease can be produced using methods known in the art such as in vitro transcription.
  • the mRNA is capped using 7-methyl-guanosine.
  • the mRNA may be polyadenylated.
  • an mRNA encoding an engineered nuclease of the invention can be a polycistronic mRNA encoding two or more nucleases that are simultaneously expressed in the cell.
  • a polycistronic mRNA can encode two or more nucleases of the invention that target different recognition sequences in the same target gene.
  • a polycistronic mRNA can encode at least one nuclease described herein and at least one additional nuclease targeting a separate recognition sequence positioned in the same gene, or targeting a second recognition sequence positioned in a second gene such that cleavage sites are produced in both genes.
  • a polycistronic mRNA can comprise any element known in the art to allow for the translation of two or more genes (i.e., cistrons) from the same mRNA molecule including, but not limited to, an IRES element, a T2A element, a P2A element, an E2A element, and an F2A element.
  • Purified nuclease proteins can be delivered into cells to cleave genomic DNA, which allows for homologous recombination or non-homologous end-joining at the cleavage site with a sequence of interest, by a variety of different mechanisms known in the art.
  • engineered nuclease proteins are coupled to a cell penetrating peptide or targeting ligand to facilitate cellular uptake.
  • cell penetrating peptides known in the art include poly-arginine ( Jearawiriyapaisarn, et al. (2008) Mol Ther. 16:1624-9 ), TAT peptide from the HIV virus ( Hudecz et al. (2005), Med. Res. Rev. 25: 679-736 ), MPG ( Simeoni, et al. (2003) Nucleic Acids Res. 31:2717-2724 ), Pep-1 ( Deshayes et al.
  • engineered nucleases are coupled covalently or non-covalently to an antibody that recognizes a specific cell-surface receptor expressed on target cells such that the nuclease protein/DNA/mRNA binds to and is internalized by the target cells.
  • engineered nuclease protein/DNA/mRNA can be coupled covalently or non-covalently to the natural ligand (or a portion of the natural ligand) for such a cell-surface receptor.
  • engineered nuclease proteins, or DNA/mRNA encoding engineered nucleases are coupled covalently or, preferably, non-covalently to a nanoparticle or encapsulated within such a nanoparticle using methods known in the art ( Sharma, et al. (2014) Biomed Res Int. 2014 ).
  • a nanoparticle is a nanoscale delivery system whose length scale is ⁇ 1 ⁇ m, preferably ⁇ 100 nm.
  • Such nanoparticles may be designed using a core composed of metal, lipid, polymer, or biological macromolecule, and multiple copies of the recombinant meganuclease proteins, mRNA, or DNA can be attached to or encapsulated with the nanoparticle core.
  • Nanoparticles may be further modified with polymers or lipids (e.g., chitosan, cationic polymers, or cationic lipids) to form a core-shell nanoparticle whose surface confers additional functionalities to enhance cellular delivery and uptake of the payload ( Jian et al. (2012) Biomaterials. 33(30): 7621-30 ). Nanoparticles may additionally be advantageously coupled to targeting molecules to direct the nanoparticle to the appropriate cell type and/or increase the likelihood of cellular uptake. Examples of such targeting molecules include antibodies specific for cell-surface receptors and the natural ligands (or portions of the natural ligands) for cell surface receptors.
  • the engineered nucleases or DNA/mRNA encoding the engineered nucleases are encapsulated within liposomes or complexed using cationic lipids (see, e.g., Lipofectamine TM , Life Technologies Corp., Carlsbad, CA; Zuris et al. (2015) Nat Biotechnol. 33: 73-80 ; Mishra et al. (2011) J Drug Deliv. 2011:863734 ).
  • the liposome and lipoplex formulations can protect the payload from degradation, and facilitate cellular uptake and delivery efficiency through fusion with and/or disruption of the cellular membranes of the cells.
  • engineered nuclease proteins or DNA/mRNA encoding engineered nucleases, are encapsulated within polymeric scaffolds (e.g., PLGA) or complexed using cationic polymers (e.g., PEI, PLL) ( Tamboli et al. (2011) Ther Deliv. 2(4): 523-536 ).
  • polymeric scaffolds e.g., PLGA
  • cationic polymers e.g., PEI, PLL
  • engineered nuclease proteins are combined with amphiphilic molecules that self-assemble into micelles ( Tong et al. (2007) J Gene Med. 9(11): 956-66 ).
  • Polymeric micelles may include a micellar shell formed with a hydrophilic polymer (e.g., polyethyleneglycol) that can prevent aggregation, mask charge interactions, and reduce nonspecific interactions outside of the cell.
  • a hydrophilic polymer e.g., polyethyleneglycol
  • engineered nuclease proteins are formulated into an emulsion or a nanoemulsion (i.e., having an average particle diameter of ⁇ 1nm) for delivery to the cell.
  • emulsion refers to, without limitation, any oil-in-water, water-in-oil, water-in-oil-in-water, or oil-in-water-in-oil dispersions or droplets, including lipid structures that can form as a result of hydrophobic forces that drive apolar residues (e.g., long hydrocarbon chains) away from water and polar head groups toward water, when a water immiscible phase is mixed with an aqueous phase.
  • apolar residues e.g., long hydrocarbon chains
  • engineered nuclease proteins are covalently attached to, or non-covalently associated with, multifunctional polymer conjugates, DNA dendrimers, and polymeric dendrimers ( Mastorakos et al. (2015) Nanoscale. 7(9): 3845-56 ; Cheng et al. (2008) J Pharm Sci. 97(1): 123-43 ).
  • the dendrimer generation can control the payload capacity and size, and can provide a high payload capacity.
  • display of multiple surface groups can be leveraged to improve stability and reduce nonspecific interactions.
  • genes encoding an engineered nuclease are introduced into a cell using a viral vector.
  • viral vectors are known in the art and include lentiviral vectors, adenoviral vectors, and adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors (reviewed in Vannucci, et al. (2013 New Microbiol. 36:1-22 ).
  • Recombinant AAV vectors useful in the invention can have any serotype that allows for transduction of the virus into the cell and insertion of the nuclease gene into the cell genome.
  • recombinant AAV vectors have a serotype of AAV2 or AAV6.
  • Recombinant AAV vectors can also be self-complementary such that they do not require second-strand DNA synthesis in the host cell ( McCarty, et al. (2001) Gene Ther. 8:1248-54 ).
  • the engineered nuclease genes are delivered in DNA form (e.g. plasmid) and/or via a viral vector (e.g. AAV) they must be operably linked to a promoter.
  • a viral promoter such as endogenous promoters from the viral vector (e.g. the LTR of a lentiviral vector) or the well-known cytomegalovirus- or SV40 virus-early promoters.
  • nuclease genes are operably linked to a promoter that drives gene expression preferentially in the target cell (e.g., a human T cell).
  • the invention further provides for the introduction of an exogenous nucleic acid into the cell, such that the exogenous nucleic acid sequence is inserted into the TRC alpha constant region gene at a nuclease cleavage site.
  • the exogenous nucleic acid comprises a 5' homology arm and a 3' homology arm to promote recombination of the nucleic acid sequence into the cell genome at the nuclease cleavage site.
  • Exogenous nucleic acids of the invention may be introduced into the cell by any of the means previously discussed.
  • exogenous nucleic acids are introduced by way of a viral vector, such as a lentivirus, retrovirus, adenovirus, or preferably a recombinant AAV vector.
  • Recombinant AAV vectors useful for introducing an exogenous nucleic acid can have any serotype that allows for transduction of the virus into the cell and insertion of the exogenous nucleic acid sequence into the cell genome.
  • the recombinant AAV vectors have a serotype of AAV2 or AAV6.
  • the recombinant AAV vectors can also be self-complementary such that they do not require second-strand DNA synthesis in the host cell.
  • an exogenous nucleic acid can be introduced into the cell using a single-stranded DNA template.
  • the single-stranded DNA can comprise the exogenous nucleic acid and, in preferred embodiments, can comprise 5' and 3' homology arms to promote insertion of the nucleic acid sequence into the nuclease cleavage site by homologous recombination.
  • the single-stranded DNA can further comprise a 5' AAV inverted terminal repeat (ITR) sequence 5' upstream of the 5' homology arm, and a 3' AAV ITR sequence 3' downstream of the 3' homology arm.
  • ITR inverted terminal repeat
  • genes encoding an endonuclease of the invention and/or an exogenous nucleic acid sequence of the invention can be introduced into the cell by transfection with a linearized DNA template.
  • a plasmid DNA encoding an endonuclease and/or an exogenous nucleic acid sequence can be digested by one or more restriction enzymes such that the circular plasmid DNA is linearized prior to transfection into the cell.
  • an exogenous nucleic acid of the invention When delivered to a cell, an exogenous nucleic acid of the invention can be operably linked to any promoter suitable for expression of the encoded polypeptide in the cell, including those mammalian promoters and inducible promoters previously discussed.
  • An exogenous nucleic acid of the invention can also be operably linked to a synthetic promoter.
  • Synthetic promoters can include, without limitation, the JeT promoter ( WO 2002/012514 ).
  • the genetically-modified cells of the invention are human T cells, or cells derived therefrom, such cells may require activation prior to introduction of a meganuclease and/or an exogenous nucleic acid sequence.
  • T cells can be contacted with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies that are soluble or conjugated to a support (i.e., beads) for a period of time sufficient to activate the cells.
  • a suicide gene can encode a cytotoxic polypeptide, a polypeptide that has the ability to convert a non-toxic prodrug into a cytotoxic drug, and/or a polypeptide that activates a cytotoxic gene pathway within the cell. That is, a suicide gene is a nucleic acid that encodes a product that causes cell death by itself or in the presence of other compounds. A representative example of such a suicide gene is one that encodes thymidine kinase of herpes simplex virus.
  • genes that encode thymidine kinase of varicella zoster virus and the bacterial gene cytosine deaminase that can convert 5-fluorocytosine to the highly toxic compound 5-fluorouracil are also include as non-limiting examples genes that encode caspase-9, caspase-8, or cytosine deaminase. In some examples, caspase-9 can be activated using a specific chemical inducer of dimerization (CID).
  • a suicide gene can also encode a polypeptide that is expressed at the surface of the cell that makes the cells sensitive to therapeutic and/or cytotoxic monoclonal antibodies.
  • a suicide gene can encode recombinant antigenic polypeptide comprising an antigenic motif recognized by the anti-CD20 mAb Rituximab and an epitope that allows for selection of cells expressing the suicide gene.
  • Rituximab can be administered to a subject to induce cell depletion when needed.
  • the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising a genetically-modified cell of the invention, or a population of genetically-modified cells of the invention, and a pharmaceutical carrier.
  • Such pharmaceutical compositions can be prepared in accordance with known techniques. See, e.g., Remington, The Science And Practice of Pharmacy (21st ed. 2005 ).
  • cells are typically admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and the resulting composition is administered to a subject.
  • the carrier must, of course, be acceptable in the sense of being compatible with any other ingredients in the formulation and must not be deleterious to the subject.
  • compositions of the invention can further comprise one or more additional agents useful in the treatment of a disease in the subject.
  • the genetically-modified cell is a genetically-modified human T cell (or a cell derived therefrom)
  • pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can further include biological molecules, such as cytokines (e.g., IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and/or IL-21), which promote in vivo cell proliferation and engraftment.
  • cytokines e.g., IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and/or IL-21
  • Pharmaceutical compositions comprising genetically-modified cells of the invention can be administered in the same composition as an additional agent or biological molecule or, alternatively, can be co-administered in separate compositions.
  • compositions of the invention can be useful for treating any disease state that can be targeted by T cell adoptive immunotherapy.
  • the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are useful in the treatment of cancer.
  • cancers can include, without limitation, carcinoma, lymphoma, sarcoma, blastomas, leukemia, cancers of B-cell origin, breast cancer, gastric cancer, neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, lung cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, colon cancer, renal cell carcinoma, ovarian cancer, rhabdomyo sarcoma, leukemia, and Hodgkin's lymphoma.
  • cancers of B-cell origin include, without limitation, B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia, B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
  • the invention provides recombinant AAV vectors for use in the methods of the invention.
  • Recombinant AAV vectors are typically produced in mammalian cell lines such as HEK-293. Because the viral cap and rep genes are removed from the vector to prevent its self-replication to make room for the therapeutic gene(s) to be delivered (e.g. the endonuclease gene), it is necessary to provide these in trans in the packaging cell line. In addition, it is necessary to provide the "helper" (e.g. adenoviral) components necessary to support replication ( Cots D, Bosch A, Chillon M (2013) Curr. Gene Ther. 13(5): 370-81 ).
  • helper e.g. adenoviral
  • recombinant AAV vectors are produced using a triple-transfection in which a cell line is transfected with a first plasmid encoding the "helper" components, a second plasmid comprising the cap and rep genes, and a third plasmid comprising the viral ITRs containing the intervening DNA sequence to be packaged into the virus.
  • Viral particles comprising a genome (ITRs and intervening gene(s) of interest) encased in a capsid are then isolated from cells by freeze-thaw cycles, sonication, detergent, or other means known in the art. Particles are then purified using cesium-chloride density gradient centrifugation or affinity chromatography and subsequently delivered to the gene(s) of interest to cells, tissues, or an organism such as a human patient.
  • any endonuclease expressed in the packaging cell line will be capable of cleaving the viral genome before it can be packaged into viral particles. This will result in reduced packaging efficiency and/or the packaging of fragmented genomes.
  • Several approaches can be used to prevent endonuclease expression in the packaging cells, including:
  • Embodiments of the invention encompass the engineered nucleases, and particularly the recombinant meganucleases, described herein, and variants thereof. Further embodiments of the invention encompass isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the recombinant meganucleases described herein, and variants of such polynucleotides.
  • variants is intended to mean substantially similar sequences.
  • a “variant” polypeptide is intended to mean a polypeptide derived from the “native” polypeptide by deletion or addition of one or more amino acids at one or more internal sites in the native protein and/or substitution of one or more amino acids at one or more sites in the native polypeptide.
  • a “native" polynucleotide or polypeptide comprises a parental sequence from which variants are derived.
  • Variant polypeptides encompassed by the embodiments are biologically active.
  • the native protein i.e., they continue to possess the desired biological activity of the native protein; i.e., the ability to recognize and cleave recognition sequences found in the human T cell receptor alpha constant region (SEQ ID NO: 1), including, for example, the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence (SEQ ID NO:3), the TRC 3-4 recognition sequence (SEQ ID NO:4), and the TRC 7-8 recognition sequence (SEQ ID NO:5).
  • Such variants may result, for example, from human manipulation.
  • Biologically active variants of a native polypeptide of the embodiments e .
  • SEQ ID NOs:8-32 or biologically active variants of the recognition half-site binding subunits described herein (e.g., SEQ ID NOs:33-82), will have at least about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, or about 99%, sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of the native polypeptide or native subunit, as determined by sequence alignment programs and parameters described elsewhere herein.
  • a biologically active variant of a polypeptide or subunit of the embodiments may differ from that polypeptide or subunit by as few as about 1-40 amino acid residues, as few as about 1-20, as few as about 1-10, as few as about 5, as few as 4, 3, 2, or even 1 amino acid residue.
  • polypeptides of the embodiments may be altered in various ways including amino acid substitutions, deletions, truncations, and insertions. Methods for such manipulations are generally known in the art. For example, amino acid sequence variants can be prepared by mutations in the DNA. Methods for mutagenesis and polynucleotide alterations are well known in the art. See, for example, Kunkel (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:488-492 ; Kunkel et al. (1987) Methods in Enzymol. 154:367-382 ; U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,192 ; Walker and Gaastra, eds.
  • a "variant" comprises a deletion and/or addition of one or more nucleotides at one or more sites within the native polynucleotide.
  • variants of the nucleic acids of the embodiments will be constructed such that the open reading frame is maintained.
  • conservative variants include those sequences that, because of the degeneracy of the genetic code, encode the amino acid sequence of one of the polypeptides of the embodiments.
  • Variant polynucleotides include synthetically derived polynucleotides, such as those generated, for example, by using site-directed mutagenesis but which still encode a recombinant meganuclease of the embodiments.
  • variants of a particular polynucleotide of the embodiments will have at least about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99% or more sequence identity to that particular polynucleotide as determined by sequence alignment programs and parameters described elsewhere herein.
  • Variants of a particular polynucleotide of the embodiments can also be evaluated by comparison of the percent sequence identity between the polypeptide encoded by a variant polynucleotide and the polypeptide encoded by the reference polynucleotide.
  • deletions, insertions, and substitutions of the protein sequences encompassed herein are not expected to produce radical changes in the characteristics of the polypeptide. However, when it is difficult to predict the exact effect of the substitution, deletion, or insertion in advance of doing so, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the effect will be evaluated by screening the polypeptide for its ability to preferentially recognize and cleave recognition sequences found within the human T cell receptor alpha constant region gene (SEQ ID NO:1).
  • TRC 1-2 meganucleases Recombinant meganucleases (SEQ ID NOs:8-27), collectively referred to herein as "TRC 1-2 meganucleases,” were engineered to recognize and cleave the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence (SEQ ID NO:3), which is present in the human T cell receptor alpha constant region.
  • Each TRC 1-2 recombinant meganuclease comprises an N-terminal nuclease-localization signal derived from SV40, a first meganuclease subunit, a linker sequence, and a second meganuclease subunit.
  • a first subunit in each TRC 1-2 meganuclease binds to the TRC1 recognition half-site of SEQ ID NO:3, while a second subunit binds to the TRC2 recognition half-site (see, Figure 1A ).
  • TRC1-binding subunits and TRC2-binding subunits each comprise a 56 base pair hypervariable region, referred to as HVR1 and HVR2, respectively.
  • TRC1-binding subunits are identical outside of the HVR1 region except at position 80 or position 271 (comprising a Q or E residue), and are highly conserved within the HVR1 region.
  • TRC2-binding subunits are also identical outside of the HVR2 region except at position 80 or position 271 (comprising a Q or E residue), and at position 330 of meganucleases TRC 1-2x.87 EE, TRC 1-2x.87 QE, TRC 1-2x.87 EQ, TRC 1-2x.87, and TRC 1-2x.163, which comprise an R residue (shaded grey and underlined).
  • the HVR2 region is also highly conserved.
  • TRC1-binding regions of SEQ ID NOs:8-27 are illustrated in Figure 2 and are provided as SEQ ID NOs:33-52, respectively. Each of SEQ ID NOs:33-52 share at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:33, which is the TRC1-binding region of the meganuclease TRC 1-2x.87 EE (SEQ ID NO:8).
  • TRC2-binding regions of SEQ ID NOs:8-27 are illustrated in Figure 3 and are provided as SEQ ID NOs:58-77, respectively. Each of SEQ ID NOs:58-77 share at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:58, which is the TRC2-binding region of the meganuclease TRC 1-2x.87 EE (SEQ ID NO:8).
  • TRC 3-4 meganucleases Recombinant meganucleases (SEQ ID NOs:28 and 29), collectively referred to herein as "TRC 3-4 meganucleases,” were engineered to recognize and cleave the TRC 3-4 recognition sequence (SEQ ID NO:4), which is present in the human T cell receptor alpha constant region.
  • Each TRC 3-4 recombinant meganuclease comprises an N-terminal nuclease-localization signal derived from SV40, a first meganuclease subunit, a linker sequence, and a second meganuclease subunit.
  • a first subunit in each TRC 3-4 meganuclease binds to the TRC3 recognition half-site of SEQ ID NO:4, while a second subunit binds to the TRC4 recognition half-site (see, Figure 1A ).
  • TRC3-binding subunits and TRC4-binding subunits each comprise a 56 base pair hypervariable region, referred to as HVR1 and HVR2, respectively.
  • TRC3-binding subunits are identical outside of the HVR1 region except at position 80 or position 271 (comprising a Q or E residue), and are highly conserved within the HVR1 region.
  • TRC4-binding subunits are also identical outside of the HVR2 region except at position 80 or position 271 (comprising a Q or E residue), and are highly conserved within the HVR2 region.
  • TRC3-binding regions of SEQ ID NOs:28 and 29 are illustrated in Figure 4 and are provided as SEQ ID NOs:53 and 54, respectively. SEQ ID NOs:53 and 54 share 96.6% sequence identity.
  • TRC4-binding regions of SEQ ID NOs:28 and 29 are illustrated in Figure 5 and are provided as SEQ ID NOs:78 and 79, respectively. SEQ ID NOs:78 and 79 also share 96.6% sequence identity.
  • TRC 7-8 meganucleases Recombinant meganucleases (SEQ ID NOs:30-32), collectively referred to herein as "TRC 7-8 meganucleases,” were engineered to recognize and cleave the TRC 7-8 recognition sequence (SEQ ID NO:5), which is present in the human T cell receptor alpha constant region.
  • Each TRC 7-8 recombinant meganuclease comprises an N-terminal nuclease-localization signal derived from SV40, a first meganuclease subunit, a linker sequence, and a second meganuclease subunit.
  • a first subunit in each TRC 7-8 meganuclease binds to the TRC7 recognition half-site of SEQ ID NO:5, while a second subunit binds to the TRC8 recognition half-site (see, Figure 1A ).
  • TRC7-binding subunits and TRC8-binding subunits each comprise a 56 base pair hypervariable region, referred to as HVR1 and HVR2, respectively.
  • TRC7-binding subunits are identical outside of the HVR1 region except at position 80 or position 271 (comprising a Q or E residue), and are highly conserved within the HVR1 region.
  • TRC8-binding subunits are also identical outside of the HVR2 region except at position 80 or position 271 (comprising a Q or E residue), and are highly conserved within the HVR2 region.
  • TRC7-binding regions of SEQ ID NOs:30-32 are illustrated in Figure 6 and are provided as SEQ ID NOs:55-57, respectively. Each of SEQ ID NOs:55-57 share at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:55, which is the TRC7-binding region of the meganuclease TRC 7-8x.7 (SEQ ID NO:30).
  • TRC8-binding regions of SEQ ID NOs:30-32 are illustrated in Figure 7 and are provided as SEQ ID NOs:80-82, respectively. Each of SEQ ID NOs:80-82 share at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:80, which is the TRC8-binding region of the meganuclease TRC 7-8x.7 (SEQ ID NO:30).
  • each recombinant meganuclease was evaluated using the CHO cell reporter assay previously described (see, WO/2012/167192 and Figure 8 ).
  • CHO cell reporter lines were produced which carried a non-functional Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) gene expression cassette integrated into the genome of the cells.
  • the GFP gene in each cell line was interrupted by a pair of recognition sequences such that intracellular cleavage of either recognition sequence by a meganuclease would stimulate a homologous recombination event resulting in a functional GFP gene.
  • GFP Green Fluorescent Protein
  • one recognition sequence inserted into the GFP gene was the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence (SEQ ID NO:3), the TRC 3-4 recognition sequence (SEQ ID NO:4), or the TRC 7-8 recognition sequence (SEQ ID NO:5).
  • the second recognition sequence inserted into the GFP gene was a CHO-23/24 recognition sequence, which is recognized and cleaved by a control meganuclease called "CHO-23/24".
  • TRC 1-2 cells CHO reporter cells comprising the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence and the CHO-23/24 recognition sequence are referred to herein as "TRC 1-2 cells.”
  • TRC 3-4 cells CHO reporter cells comprising the TRC 3-4 recognition sequence and the CHO-23/24 recognition sequence are referred to herein as "TRC 3-4 cells.”
  • TRC 7-8 cells CHO reporter cells comprising the TRC 7-8 recognition sequence and the CHO-23/24 recognition sequence.
  • CHO reporter cells were transfected with plasmid DNA encoding their corresponding recombinant meganucleases (e . g ., TRC 1-2 cells were transfected with plasmid DNA encoding TRC 1-2 meganucleases) or encoding the CHO-23/34 meganuclease.
  • 4e 5 CHO reporter cells were transfected with 50 ng of plasmid DNA in a 96-well plate using Lipofectamine 2000 (ThermoFisher) according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • cells were evaluated by flow cytometry to determine the percentage of GFP-positive cells compared to an untransfected negative control (TRC 1-2bs).
  • TRC 1-2bs untransfected negative control
  • TRC 1-2x.87 QE TRC 1-2x.87 EQ
  • TRC 1-2x.87 EE The efficacy of the TRC 1-2x.87 EQ
  • TRC 1-2x.87 EE meganucleases was also determined in a time-dependent manner.
  • TRC 1-2 cells 1e 6 were electroporated with 1e 6 copies of meganuclease mRNA per cell using a BioRad Gene Pulser Xcell according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • cells were evaluated by flow cytometry to determine the percentage of GFP-positive cells.
  • each TRC 1-2 meganuclease exhibited high efficiency at 2 days post-transfection, with greater than 50% GFP-positive cells observed. This effect persisted over the 12 day period, with no evidence of cell toxicity observed.
  • TRC 1-2 meganucleases, TRC 3-4 meganucleases, and TRC 7-8 meganucleases encompassed by the invention can efficiently target and cleave their respective recognition sequences in cells.
  • TRC 1-2 meganucleases encompassed by the invention could cleave the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence in Jurkat cells (an immortalized human T lymphocyte cell line).
  • Jurkat cells an immortalized human T lymphocyte cell line.
  • 1e 6 Jurkat cells were electroporated with 8e 6 copies of a given TRC 1-2 meganuclease mRNA per cell using a BioRad Gene Pulser Xcell according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • genomic DNA gDNA
  • T7E T7 endonuclease I
  • the TRC 1-2 locus is amplified by PCR using primers that flank the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence. If there are indels (random insertions or deletions) within the TRC 1-2 locus, the resulting PCR product will consist of a mix of wild-type alleles and mutant alleles.
  • the PCR product is denatured and allowed to slowly reanneal. Slow reannealing allows for the formation of heteroduplexes consisting of wild-type and mutant alleles, resulting in mismatched bases and/or bulges.
  • the T7E1 enzyme cleaves at mismatch sites, resulting in cleavage products that can be visualized by gel electrophoresis.
  • Figure 11 clearly demonstrates that thirteen different versions of the TRC 1-2 meganucleases generated positive results in the T7E1 assay, indicating effective generation of indels at the endogenous TRC 1-2 recognition sequence.
  • TRC 1-2 meganucleases To further examine the cleavage properties of TRC 1-2 meganucleases, a dose-response experiment was performed in Jurkat cells. 1e 6 Jurkat cells were electroporated with either 3 ⁇ g or 1 ⁇ g of a given TRC 1-2 meganuclease mRNA per cell using a BioRad Gene Pulser Xcell according to the manufacturer's instructions. At 96-hours post-transfection, gDNA was harvested and the T7E1 assay was performed as described above. As seen in Figure 12 , fifteen different TRC 1-2 meganucleases showed cleavage at the endogenous TRC 1-2 recognition site, including three different versions of the TRC 1-2x.87 meganuclease. TRC 1-2x.87 EE worked especially well, generating a strong signal in the T7E1 assay with little to no toxicity in Jurkat cells.
  • TRC 1-2 meganucleases encompassed by the invention could cleave the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence in human T cells obtained from a donor.
  • CD3+ T cells were stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies for 3 days, then electroporated with mRNA encoding the TRC 1-2x.87 EE meganuclease using the Amaxa 4D-Nucleofector (Lonza) according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • gDNA was harvested and the T7E1 assay was performed as described above.
  • FIG. 13A demonstrates that TRC 1-2x.87 EE effectively introduced mutations in the endogenous TRC 1-2 recognition sequence in human T cells, indicating that the meganuclease recognized and cleaved the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence.
  • the intensity of cleavage products does not appear to change between day 3 and day 7 post-transfection, suggesting little or no toxicity due to the TRC 1-2x.87 EE meganuclease.
  • To determine whether the mutations at the endogenous TRC 1-2 recognition sequence were sufficient to eliminate surface expression of the T cell receptor cells were analyzed by flow cytometry using an anti-CD3 antibody.
  • Figure 13B shows that approximately 50% of transfected T cells stained negative for CD3, indicating knockout of the T cell receptor. The CD3 negative population did not change significantly between day 3 and day 7 post-transfection, further indicating little or no toxicity associated with the TRC 1-2x.87 EE meganuclease, or the loss of T cell receptor expression.
  • gDNA was harvested from transfected T cells and the TRC 1-2 recognition site locus was amplified by PCR. PCR products were cloned into the pCR-blunt vector using the Zero Blunt PCR cloning kit (Thermo Fisher) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Individual colonies were picked and mini-prepped plasmids were sequenced.
  • Figure 14 shows sequences of several representative deletions that were observed at the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence. The observed sequences are typical of deletions resulting from the non-homologous end joining repair of DNA double-strand breaks generated by endonucleases.
  • TRC 1-2x.87 EE In addition to TRC 1-2x.87 EE, other TRC 1-2 meganucleases were able to knockout the T cell receptor in human T cells, including TRC 1-2x.55, and TRC 1-2x.72, albeit to a lesser extent than knockout previously observed for TRC 1-2x.87 EE (Tables 5 and 6).
  • TRC 1-2x.72 Q47E carries a mutation in the active site of the meganuclease (amino acid 47) and serves as a negative control. Table 5. % CD3 - Cells Meganuclease Day 3 Day 6 TRC 1-2x.72 Q47E 0.38 1.1 TRC 1-2x.55 3.11 10.84 Table 6. % CD3 - Cells Meganuclease Day 3 Day 5 TRC 1-2x.72 Q47E 0.29 0.4 TRC 1-2x.72 2.09 4.19
  • TRC 1-2 meganucleases encompassed by the invention can recognize and cleave the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence in both Jurkat cells (an immortalized T lymphocyte cell line) and in T cells obtained from a human donor. Further, these studies demonstrated that NHEJ occurs at the meganuclease cleavage site, as evidenced by the appearance of indels. Moreover, TRC 1-2 meganucleases were shown to reduce cell-surface expression of the T cell receptor on human T cells obtained from a donor.
  • AAV405 and AAV406 two recombinant AAV vectors (referred to as AAV405 and AAV406) were designed to introduce an exogenous nucleic acid sequence, comprising an EagI restriction site, into the genome of human T cells at the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence via homologous recombination.
  • Each recombinant AAV vector was prepared using a triple-transfection protocol, wherein a cell line is transfected with a first plasmid encoding "helper" components ( e .
  • FIG. 15 illustrates the general approach for using recombinant AAV vectors to introduce an exogenous nucleic acid sequence into the cell genome at the nuclease cleavage site.
  • AAV405 was prepared using the plasmid illustrated in Figure 16 (SEQ ID NO: 107). As shown, the AAV405 plasmid generally comprises sequences for a 5' ITR, a CMV enhancer and promoter sequence, a 5' homology arm, a nucleic acid sequence comprising the EagI restriction site, an SV40 poly(A) signal sequence, a 3' homology arm, and a 3' ITR.
  • AAV406 was prepared using the plasmid illustrated in Figure 17 (SEQ ID NO: 108). As shown, the AAV406 plasmid comprises similar sequences to those of AAV405, but lacks the CMV enhancer and promoter sequences upstream of the 5' homology arm. The present AAV studies further included the use of an AAV vector encoding GFP (GFP-AAV), which was incorporated as a positive control for AAV transduction efficiency.
  • GFP-AAV AAV vector encoding GFP
  • the AAV405 and AAV406 vectors were used as HDR templates in human T cells.
  • CD3+ T cells were stimulated and transfected with 1 ⁇ g TRC 1-2x.87 EE mRNA as described above.
  • cells were either transduced with AAV405 or AAV406 (1e 5 viral genomes per cell).
  • transduction-only controls cells were mock transfected (with water) and transduced with either AAV405 or AAV406 (1e 5 viral genomes per cell).
  • For a meganuclease-only control cells were transfected with TRC 1-2x.87 EE and then mock transduced (with water) at 2 hours post-transfection.
  • gDNA was harvested from cells and the TRC 1-2 locus was amplified by PCR using primers that recognized sequences beyond the region of homology in the AAV vectors. PCR primers outside of the homology regions only allowed for amplification of the T cell genome, not from the AAV vectors. PCR products were purified and digested with EagI.
  • Figure 19 shows cleavage of the PCR products amplified from cells that were transfected with TRC 1-2x.87 EE and transduced with either AAV vector (see arrows), indicating insertion of the EagI site into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence.
  • the PCR products from all of the control cell populations are not cleaved by EagI, demonstrating that the insertion of the EagI site requires creation of a DNA double-strand break by a TRC 1-2 meganuclease.
  • Figures 20B and 21B show that several PCR products were cleaved with EagI (e.g., Figure 20B , second row, 6 lanes from the left), generating the expected fragments of approximately 700 and 800 bp. These gels allow for the estimation of EagI insertion to be approximately 25% and 6% for AAV405 and AAV406, respectively (adjusted for empty vectors).
  • EagI e.g., Figure 20B , second row, 6 lanes from the left
  • Figure 22A shows sequences of several representative deletions and insertions that were observed at the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence. These sequences are typical of sequences resulting from the non-homologous end joining repair of DNA double-strand breaks generated by endonucleases. All PCR products that were cleaved with EagI contained an EagI site inserted into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence ( Figure 22B ).
  • FIG. 23 shows that GFP-AAV transduction performed 2 hours post-transfection resulted in 90% GFP-positive cells, but that transduction immediately after transfection resulted in 98% GFP-positive cells. Resting T cells appeared refractive to AAV transduction, with approximately 0% GFP-positive cells. Non-transduced cells also showed approximately 0% GFP-positive cells.
  • AAV vectors can be used in conjunction with recombinant meganucleases to incorporate an exogenous nucleic acid sequence into a cleavage site in the TCR alpha constant region via homologous recombination.
  • AAV-CAR100 and AAV-CAR763 were designed to introduce an exogenous nucleic acid sequence, encoding a chimeric antigen receptor, into the genome of human T cells at the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence via homologous recombination.
  • Each recombinant AAV vector was prepared using the triple-transfection protocol described previously.
  • AAV-CAR100 (also referred to herein as AAV408) was prepared using the plasmid illustrated in Figure 24 (SEQ ID NO: 109).
  • the AAV-CAR100 (AAV408) is designed for producing a self-complementary AAV vector, and generally comprises sequences for a 5' ITR, a 5' homology arm, a nucleic acid sequence encoding an anti-CD 19 chimeric antigen receptor, an SV40 poly(A) signal sequence, a 3' homology arm, and a 3' ITR.
  • AAV-CAR763 (also referred to herein as AAV412) was prepared using the plasmid illustrated in Figure 25 (SEQ ID NO: 110).
  • the AAV-CAR763 (AAV412) plasmid generally comprises the same sequences as AAV-CAR100 (AAV408), but is designed for producing a single-stranded AAV vector. Because a single-stranded AAV vector can accommodate a larger payload, the 5' homology arm and the 3' homology arm are longer in AAV-CAR763 (AAV412) than in AAV-CAR100 (AAV408).
  • the present AAV studies will further include the use of an AAV vector encoding GFP (GFP-AAV), which will be incorporated as a positive control for AAV transduction efficiency.
  • human CD3+ T cells will be obtained and stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies for 3 days, then electroporated with mRNA encoding the TRC 1-2x.87 EE meganuclease (1 ⁇ g) using the Amaxa 4D-Nucleofector (Lonza) according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Cells will be transduced with GFP-AAV (1e 5 viral genomes per cell) immediately after transfection as described above. Cells will be analyzed by flow cytometry for GFP expression at 72 hours post-transduction to determine transduction efficiency.
  • AAV-CAR100 (AAV408) and AAV-CAR763 (AAV412) vectors will then be used as HDR templates in human T cells for the insertion of the anti-CD 19 chimeric antigen receptor sequence.
  • Human CD3+ T cells will be stimulated and transfected with 1 ⁇ g TRC 1-2x.87 EE mRNA as described above. Cells will then be transduced with AAV-CAR100 (AAV408) or AAV-CAR763 (AAV412) (1e 5 viral genomes per cell) either immediately after transfection or within 0-8 hours of transfection.
  • cells will be mock transfected (with water) and transduced with either AAV-CAR100 (AAV408) or AAV-CAR763 (AAV412) (1e 5 viral genomes per cell).
  • AAV-CAR100 AAV408
  • AAV-CAR763 AAV412
  • cells will be transfected with mRNA encoding TRC 1-2x.87 EE and then mock transduced (with water) immediately post-transfection.
  • Insertion of the chimeric antigen receptor sequence will be confirmed by sequencing of the cleavage site in the TCR alpha constant region gene. Cell-surface expression of the chimeric antigen receptor will be confirmed by flow cytometry, using an anti-Fab or anti-CD19 antibody. Knockout of the endogenous T cell receptor at the cell surface will be determined by flow cytometry as previously described.
  • AAV can provide HDR templates that can be used to insert a chimeric antigen receptor sequence into the TCR alpha constant region gene and, simultaneously, knock out cell-surface expression of the endogenous TCR receptor.
  • human CD3+ T cells (1e 6 cells ) were stimulated and electroporated with mRNA encoding the TRC 1-2x.87 EE meganuclease (2 ⁇ g) as described above, then immediately transduced with AAV412 (1e 5 viral genomes/cell).
  • AAV412 (1e 5 viral genomes/cell).
  • cells were mock electroporated, then transduced with AAV412 or electroporated with mRNA encoding TRC 1-2x.87EE, then mock transduced.
  • An additional control of mock electroporated, mock transduced cells was included.
  • a PCR-based assay was developed to determine whether the AAV HDR template was utilized to repair double-strand breaks at the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence.
  • Three sets of primer pairs were used for PCR analysis. The first set was designed to amplify a region with the homology arms of AAV412. Since this first primer set (referred to as "Inside homolog arms/CAR region” in Table 7) lies within the homology region, it will either amplify the unmodified TRC 1-2 recognition sequence locus of the genome (349 bp), the AAV412 vector input (2603 bp), or the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence into which the CAR gene has been inserted (2603 bp).
  • the second primer set (referred to as "Outside 5' homology arm” in Table 7) includes one primer that anneals within the CAR region of the AAV412 HDR template, one primer that anneals in the human genome, outside of the 5' homology arm of the AAV412 HDR template and will amplify an 1872 bp fragment only if the CAR gene was successfully inserted into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence.
  • the third primer set (referred to as “Outside 3' homology arm” in Table 7) includes one primer that anneals within the CAR region of the AAV412 HDR template, and one primer that anneals in the human genome, outside of the 3' homology arm of the AAV412 HDR template.
  • the third primer set will amplify an 1107 bp fragment only if the CAR gene was successfully inserted into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence. Taken together, PCR products from all three primer sets will indicate whether the CAR sequence is present in cells (primer set 1), and whether it has been inserted into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence (primer sets 2 and 3).
  • the first primer pair (“Inside homolog arms/CAR region”) amplified the unmodified TRC 1-2 recognition sequence locus, generating a 349 bp band shown in lane 1.
  • Lanes 2 and 3 correspond to primer pairs that only generate a product if the CAR gene has been inserted into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence, and do not show products.
  • Lanes 7-9 represent samples that were mock electroporated and mock transduced and show the same bands as the TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA only control described above.
  • Lanes 4-6 show PCR products from the sample that was electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA and transduced with AAV412.
  • Lane 4 shows two bands generated by the first primer pair ("Inside homolog arms/CAR region"), indicating amplification of the unmodified TRC 1-2 recognition sequence locus of the genome (349 bp) and the AAV412 vector input (2603 bp) or the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence into which the CAR gene has been inserted (2603 bp).
  • Lanes 5 and 6 show products generated by the primer pairs that only amplify products if the CAR nucleic acid sequence has been inserted into the TRC 1-2x.87EE recognition site. Both bands are the predicted size (1872 and 1107 bp, respectively).
  • Lanes 10-12 represent the sample that was mock electroporated and transduced with AAV412.
  • Lane 10 shows two bands generated by the first primer pair ("Inside homolog arms/CAR region"), indicating amplification of the unmodified TRC 1-2 recognition sequence locus of the genome (349 bp) and the AAV412 vector input (2603 bp). Lanes 11 and 12 correspond to primer pairs that only generate a product if the CAR gene has been inserted into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence, and do not show products. The absence of bands in lanes 11 and 12 (which include primers outside of the homology arm) indicates that the 2603 bp band in lane 10 was generated from amplification of the AAV412 input.
  • human CD3+ T cells were stimulated and electroporated with mRNA encoding the TRC 1-2x.87 EE meganuclease as described above, then immediately transduced with increasing amounts of AAV408 (0 ⁇ L, 3.125 ⁇ L, 6.25 ⁇ L, 12.5 ⁇ L, or 25 ⁇ L, which corresponds to approximately 0, 3.125e 3 , 6.250e 3 , 1.25e 4 and 2.5e 4 viral genomes/cell).
  • AAV408 As controls, cells were mock electroporated, then transduced with increasing amounts of AAV408. Additional controls included cells that were mock electroporated and mock transduced, as well as cells that were electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA then mock transduced.
  • FIG. 27 shows the PCR products generated using the primer pair described above ("Outside 5' homology arm”) which only amplifies a product on the 5' end of the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence locus if the CAR gene has been inserted into that locus.
  • Figure 27B shows the PCR products generated using the primer pair described above ("Outside 3' homology arm”) which only amplifies a product on the 3' end of the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence locus if the CAR gene has been inserted into that locus.
  • Lane descriptions can be found in Table 8. Lanes 1-5 in both Figure 27A and 27B represent the samples that were either mock electroporated or mock electroporated then mock transduced. No PCR products are visible in mock electroporated cells, indicating the HDR templates produced by AAV408 are unable to insert the CAR gene into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence in the absence of TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA. Lane 6 represents the sample that was electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA and mock transduced. No PCR products are visible, indicating that the CAR gene had not been inserted into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence.
  • Lanes 7-10 represent samples that were electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA and transduced with increasing amounts of AAV408. The appropriately sized bands for each PCR are evident, indicating that AAV408 can produce HDR donors for repair of the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence, resulting in insertion of the CAR gene. Table 7.
  • the PCR-based assays described above are useful in determining whether the CAR gene had been inserted into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence, but do not give information on efficiency.
  • a digital PCR-based assay (schematic shown in Figure 28A ).
  • the first set amplifies an irrelevant gene sequence and serves a reference sequence to control for template number.
  • the second set consists of one primer that anneals within the CAR gene and one primer that anneals outside of the 3' homology arm, such that a product is only amplified if the CAR gene has been inserted into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence.
  • a VIC-labeled probe anneals within the amplicon generated from the first primer set and FAM-labeled probe anneals within the amplicon generated by the second set of primers.
  • Figure 28B shows the results of the digital PCR assay for samples that were either mock electroporated then transduced, electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA then mock transduced, or electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA then transduced with increasing amounts of AAV408.
  • Digital PCR was performed using genomic DNA isolated from cells approximately 1 week post-transduction. Consistent with the observations from the PCR described in Figure 27 , both control samples (transduction only or electroporation only) were found to have 0% CAR gene inserted into the TRC 1-2x.87EE recognition sequence.
  • Samples that were electroporated with mRNA encoding TRC 1-2x.87EE then transduced with increasing amounts of AAV408 were found to have between approximately 1.5% and 7%.
  • the assay was performed on two different instruments (labeled QX200 and QS3D) and showed remarkable agreement, demonstrating the sensitivity and precision of this digital PCR-based assay.
  • Figure 29A shows flow cytometry plots, with anti-CAR labeling shown on the Y axis and anti-CD3 labeling shown on the X axis.
  • Cells that were mock electroporated and mock transduced (MOI-0) were overwhelmingly CD3 + /CAR - (the lower right quadrant, 98.7%).
  • Cells that were mock electroporated then transduced with increasing amounts of AAV408 looked essentially identical to the control cells, with the CD3 + /CAR - populations at 98.8%, 99, 99%, and 99.1%.
  • the AAV408 virus alone is not driving detectable levels of CAR expression, nor is it capable of disrupting expression of the T cell receptor.
  • Figure 29B shows flow cytometry plots for samples that were either electroporated with mRNA encoding TRC 1-2x.87EE then mock transduced or cells that were electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE then transduced with increasing amounts of AAV408.
  • Cells that were electroporated then mock transduced show 47.1% CD3 - cells, indicating efficient knockout of the T cell receptor complex. Background labeling with the anti-CD 19 CAR was very low, with 0.6% in the CD3 - population and 0.78% in the CD3 + population.
  • AAV vectors could provide suitable HDR templates to insert CAR genes into the TRC 1-2x.87EE recognition sequence
  • This vector is referred to as AAV421 ( Figure 30 ; SEQ ID NO: 123). Short homology arms were necessary due to limited packaging capacity of self-complementary AAV.
  • AAV422 Figure 31 ; SEQ ID NO: 124. Since single-strand AAV genomes have a larger cargo capacity, we were able to utilize longer homology arms than in the self-complementary vector.
  • human CD3 + T cells (1e 6 cells) were either mock electroporated then transduced with increasing amounts of AAV421 or 422, or electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA (2 ⁇ g) then transduced with increasing amounts of AAV421 or AAV422.
  • AAV422 MOIs were significantly higher than AAV421 in this experiment than in the experiments described above (approximate MOIs were 1.25e 4 , 2.5e 4 , 5e 4 and 1e 5 viral genomes/cell) because earlier experiments with AAV408 suggested that higher MOIs would result in more efficient CAR insertion.
  • the AAV421 virus stock was not concentrated enough to allow for titers significantly higher than in the experiments described earlier. As controls, cells were electroporated (mock or with TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA) then mock transduced.
  • Insertion of the CAR was determined by PCR as described above, using primer pairs that only amplify products if the CAR gene has been inserted into the TRC 1-2x.87EE recognition sequence. PCR was resolved by agarose gel, shown in Figure 32A and 32B (lane descriptions can be found in Tables 9 and 10). Sample 1 in Figure 32A was mock electroporated then mock transduced, and samples 2-5 were mock electroporated then transduced with AAV421. The gel shows that none of these samples generated PCR products, indicating that AAV421, in the absence of TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA, is unable to drive insertion of the CAR gene into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence.
  • Sample 1 in Figure 32B was mock electroporated then mock transduced, and samples 2-5 were mock electroporated then transduced with increasing amounts of AAV422 (Table 10).
  • the gel shows that none of these samples generated PCR products, indicating that AAV422, in the absence of TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA, is unable to drive insertion of the CAR gene into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence.
  • Samples 7-10 in Figure 32B were electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA, then transduced with increasing amounts of AAV422.
  • the gel shows PCR bands for products extending beyond both the 5' and 3' homology arm, demonstrating integration of the CAR gene into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence.
  • sample 11 represents the sample that was electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA then transduced with a AAV421 from a different virus stock than samples shown in Figure 32A .
  • the presence of bands indicate insertion of the CAR gene into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence and confirms reproducibility between different virus stocks.
  • Figure 32 clearly demonstrates that both AAV421 and AAV422 are capable of generating HDR templates suitable for inserting the CAR gene into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence. Table 9.
  • FIG. 32A shows flow cytometry plots for cells that were mock electroporated and transduced with AAV421, along with control cells that were mock electroporated and mock transduced.
  • Figure 33B shows flow cytometry plots for samples that were either electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA then mock transduced or cells that were electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE then transduced with increasing amounts of AAV421.
  • Cells that were electroporated then mock transduced show 56.7% CD3 - cells, indicating efficient knockout of the T cell receptor complex. Background labeling with the anti-CD 19 CAR was very low, with 0.48% in the CD3 - population and 0.36% in the CD3 + population.
  • IM-9 cells which present CD19 on the cell surface.
  • IM-9 cells were inactivated by pre-treatment with mitomycin C and incubated with samples at a 1:1 ratio for 6 days in the presence of IL-7 and IL-15 (10ng/mL).
  • Cells were then labeled with antibodies against CD3 and the anti-CD19 CAR and analyzed by flow cytometry ( Figure 34B ).
  • Cells that were mock electroporated and mock transduced showed low levels of background staining in the CD3 - /CAR + quadrant (0.2%).
  • the CD3 - /CAR + population was the same in samples that were mock electroporated then transduced with AAV (0.2%) and slightly higher in cells that were electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE and mock transduced (1.24%).
  • Cells that were electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA and mock transduced had a CD3 - /CAR - population of 42.5%, which is significantly lower than they were prior to expansion (56.7%, Figure 33 ) suggesting that CD+ cells may have a growth advantage in this system.
  • FIG. 35A shows flow cytometry plots for cells that were mock electroporated and transduced with increasing amounts of AAV422, along with control cells that were mock electroporated and mock transduced.
  • Cells that were mock electroporated and mock transduced were overwhelmingly CD3 + /CAR - (the lower right quadrant, 98.8%).
  • Figure 35B shows flow cytometry plots for samples that were either electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA then mock transduced or cells that were electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE then transduced with increasing amounts of AAV422.
  • Cells that were electroporated then mock transduced show 59.3% CD3 - cells, indicating efficient knockout of the T cell receptor complex. Background labeling with the anti-CD 19 CAR was very low, with 1.47% in the CD3 - population and 0.52% in the CD3 + population.
  • TRC 1-2x.87EE cells were electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA and either mock transduced or transduced with AAV422 (using the same MOIs as AAV412). Cells were labeled with an antibody against CD3 and cells were analyzed by flow cytometry ( Figure 37C ).
  • the mock transduced cells showed 62.2% T cell receptor knockout, and with increasing amounts of AAV, the T cell receptor knockout frequency increased to 72.6%, 75.5%, 78.3% and 75.1%.
  • the presence of AAV422 increases the knockout efficiency of TRC 1-2x.87EE by up to 25.8% (78.3% compared to 62.2%).
  • CAR T cells were also used in a cell killing assay in which luciferase-labeled Raji cells were the target. Briefly, CAR T cells were incubated with luciferase-labeled Raji cells at a ratio of 10:1. At several time points, cells were washed and lysed to measure luciferase activity as a measure of how many cells remained. Control cells showed luciferase activity greater than 5500 arbitrary units ( Figure 38B ). Co-incubation for 2, 3, 4 and 5 hours resulted in a decrease in luciferase activity to 4598, 3292, 2750 and 1932 arbitrary units, respectively. Thus, within 5 hours of co-incubation, luciferase activity was reduced approximately 65%, indicating strong cytolytic activity of the CAR T cells.
  • HDR templates produced by AAV are linear DNA molecules
  • linear DNA from any source may be a suitable HDR template for inserting a CAR gene into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence.
  • homology arms were either "short” (200 bp on the 5' homology arm and 180 bp on the 3' homology arm) to mimic the self-complimentary AAV vectors, or "long” (985 bp on the 5' homology arm and 763 bp on the 3' homology arm) to mimic the single strand AAV vectors. Plasmids with short homology arms are labeled “pDS” and those with long homology arms are labeled "pDI.” Additionally, some plasmid contained an intron upstream of the CAR gene.
  • the CAR donor plasmids were linearized at a restriction site in the vector backbone and gel purified.
  • Human CD3 + T cells were either electroporated with the linearized CAR donor plasmid alone (varying amounts between 500 ng and 1000 ng, depending on the concentration of the purified linearized plasmid), or co-electroporated with TRC 1-2.87EE mRNA (2 ⁇ g).
  • TRC 1-2.87EE mRNA 2 ⁇ g
  • As controls cells were either mock electroporated or electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE alone.
  • the graphs in Figure 39 are labelled with descriptions for all electroporations. Approximately 4 days post-electroporation, cells were labelled with antibodies against CD3 and the anti-CD19 CAR and analyzed by flow cytometry ( Figure 39 ).
  • Figure 39A shows background CD3 - /CAR + staining of 0.15%. It should be noted that the background CD3 + /CAR + staining was unusually high at 4.31%.
  • Figure 39B shows cells that were electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA alone, demonstrating 60.8% CD3 knockout.
  • Figures 39C and 39D represent samples that were co-electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA and either the long homology arm vector with an EF1 ⁇ core promoter with an HTLV enhancer or the short homology arm vector with EF1 ⁇ core promoter (with no enhancer).
  • Figures 39G and 39H show two long homology arm constructs that both contain an MND promoter driving expression of the CAR.
  • One of these constructs, shown in Figure 39G also contains an intron in the 5' end of the CAR gene.
  • the long homology arm plasmid with an MND promoter and intron showed significant CAR expression ( Figure 39G , 4.14% CD3 - /CAR + ) while the intron-less construct ( Figure 39H ) did not show detectable CAR expression when co-electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA.
  • Samples 1 and 2 are PCR products from cells that were either mock electroporated or electroporated with only mRNA encoding TRC 1-2x.87EE. Consistent with results shown above, no PCR bands are present indicating the lack of CAR gene in the TRC 1-2 recognition site.
  • Samples 3, 4 and 5 are from cells that were co-electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE and a linearized CAR homology plasmid (samples names in Figure 40 ).
  • Samples 6, 7, and 8 are from cells that were electroporated with the same linearized CAR homology plasmids as samples 3, 4, and 5 but without TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA. As expected, no PCR bands are present.
  • Samples 9 and 10 are PCR products from cells that were either mock electroporated or electroporated with only mRNA encoding TRC 1-2x.87EE and show no PCR bands.
  • Samples 11, 12, 13 and 14 are from cells that were co-electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87EE and a linearized CAR homology plasmid (samples names in Figure 40 ).
  • Samples 15, 16, 17, and 18 are from cells that were electroporated with the same linearized CAR homology plasmids as samples 11, 12, 13, and 14 but without TRC 1-2x.87EE mRNA. As expected, no PCR bands are present.
  • Figures 39 and 40 clearly demonstrate that co-electroporating human CD3 + T cells with mRNA encoding TRC 1-2x.87EE and a linearized CAR homology plasmid is an effective method to insert the CAR gene into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence.
  • Table 11 The
  • cells were either electroporated with mRNA encoding TRC 1-2x.87EE then mock transduced or mock electroporated then transduced with increasing amounts of AAV423.
  • cells were labeled with antibodies recognizing CD3 or the anti-CD 19 CAR and analyzed by flow cytometry.
  • cells that were mock electroporated then transduced with increasing amounts of AAV423 are overwhelmingly CD3 + /CAR - (ranging from 96.6% to 98.5%).
  • Cells that were electroporated with mRNA encoding TRC 1-2x.87EE and mock transduced were 39% CD3 - indicating efficient knockout of the T cell receptor.
  • Samples 1 and 2 are PCR products from cells that were mock electroporated. Consistent with results shown above, no PCR bands are present indicating the lack of CAR gene in the TRC 1-2 recognition site.
  • Samples 3-6 are from cells that were mock electroporated then transduced with increasing amounts of AAV423. Consistent with results above, there are no PCR bands present.
  • Sample 7 is from cells electroporated with mRNA encoding TRC 1-2x.87EE then mock transduced, and shows no PCR bands.
  • Samples 8-11 are from cells electroporated with mRNA encoding TRC 1-2x.87EE then transduced with increasing amounts of AAV423, and show the PCR bands expected if the CAR is inserted into the TRC 1-2 recognition sequence.
  • the AAV423 plasmid ( Figure 41 ) could be linearized by digestion with a and delivered to the cell by digestion with one or more restriction enzymes, such that the T cells could be transfected with a linearized DNA template which could integrate into the TRC 1-2 recognition site and encode an anti-CD 19 CAR.
  • the efficacy of the gene-edited anti-CD 19 CAR T cells was evaluated in a murine model of disseminated B cell lymphoma.
  • Activated T cells were electroporated with TRC 1-2x.87 EE mRNA as described above, then transduced with an AAV6 vector comprising an anti-CD19 CAR expression cassette driven by a JeT promoter and flanked by homology arms.
  • AAV6 vector comprising an anti-CD19 CAR expression cassette driven by a JeT promoter and flanked by homology arms.
  • IL-2 10 ng/mL
  • cells were analyzed for cell-surface CD3 and anti-CD 19 CAR expression by flow cytometry as previously described ( Figure 44A ).
  • CD3 - cells were enriched by depleting CD3 + cells using anti-CD3 magnetic beads.
  • CD3 and anti-CD 19 CAR Figure 44B . Isolation of the CD3 - population was quite efficient, yielding 99.9% purity as measured by flow cytometry following depletion of CD3 + cells ( Figure 44B ).
  • the purified CD3 - population comprised 56% CD4 + and 44% CD8 + cells ( Figure 44C ), and had primarily central memory/transitional memory phenotypes, determined by staining for CD62L and CD45RO ( Figure 44D ).
  • Luciferin substrate 150mg/kg in saline
  • Luciferase activity measured after 7 minutes using IVIS SpectrumCT (Perkin Elmer, Waltham, MA). Data was analyzed and exported using Living Image software 4.5.1 (Perkin Elmer, Waltham, MA). Luminescence signal intensity is represented by radiance in p/sec/cm 2 /sr.

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